Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Pepe's Claim That Stomp Was Unintentional Is Bogus

Perhaps you saw Real Madrid's Pepe step on the hand of Lionel Messi during yesterday's El Clasico, won by Barcelona 2-1.

If not, check out the video for yourself.

Today, Pepe has claimed that the move was totally unintentional on his part (via RealMadrid.com):

"

I wish to say yesterday's incident with Leo Messi was unintentional, but I nevertheless want to apologise to him if he was offended because all I do is defend my team and this institution. I give my heart and soul, and the thought of hurting a colleague has never  entered my mind.

"

I'm not buying it. I mean, on the last angle shown in the video, you can see he clearly nudges Messi with his leg and then looks down to the ground immediately before stepping on Messi's hand!

C'mon, Pepe—you're not really apologizing just in case you offended Messi with what you've claimed was an involuntary act. You're apologizing because everyone who saw the game knows you pulled a dirty stunt. The team also likely told you to make nice with Messi, and you've obliged out of fear that you could be punished.

Hell, even Wayne Rooney thinks you did it on purpose.

I'm with Rooney.

Hit me up on the Twitter—my tweets are FDA approved.