Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Pepe's 'Apology' is a Bare-Faced Lie

After attempting to smash Lionel Messi's hand to pulp in front of 80,000 live spectators and another few million watching on TV, Real Madrid's Pepe followed up his despicable action with another—an "apology" which made about as much sense as his action in the first place.

Speaking to RealMadrid.com, Pepe said:

"

I wish to say yesterday's incident with Leo Messi was unintentional, but I neverteheless[sic] 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 enetered[sic] my mind.

"

Let us break this down to see just how many times he lied during this statement.

"I wish to say yesterday's incident with Leo Messi was unintentional" 

This is obviously a lie. Video evidence at around 1:00 in the linked video suggests that Pepe actually looked right at Messi's hand and shuffled his footsteps in order to get the best possible shot at his quarry. With the abundance of TV cameras being used in the modern game, such pieces of genius are very easy to catch.

"because all I do is defend my team and this institution" 

Yet another video will show Pepe flopping about like a fish under Fabregas' challenge, despite not being touched. Yes, a very courageous act of defense, one must admit.

"the thought of hurting a colleague has never enetered[sic] my mind"

Of course, since Pepe is such a model professional. Getafe's Casquero might disagree, though.

Pepe's words are so insincere and false that one must wonder why he bothered to issue such a statement in the first place. Fortunately, even Jose Mourinho agrees that the incident was punishable "if it was intentional"—which it obviously was.