Karren Brady calls for Pepe's "dark actions" to spell the end of his career

Karren Brady has called on Pepe's football career to be over after his role in a mass brawl during a game between Porto and Sporting Lisbon.

The Portuguese centre-half saw red as The Primeira Liga clash descended into a 40-man brawl with players, staff, stewards and even ball boys getting involved.

Referee Joao Pinheiro was forced to brandish four red card - dismissing two players from each side.

Sporting duo Tabata and Joao Palhinha were shown red for their part in the scenes, while Pepe and Agustin Marchesin saw red for Porto.

Pepe has long been a divisive figure having spent several years at Real Madrid but hadn't been sent off in a league game since 2011.

However his latest misdemeanour could spell the end with Brady slamming his actions.

She wrote in The Sun : "He hasn't much of a football career left. He's 39 next week and there are suggestions that he will be suspended for two years.

"Whether that happens or not, footballers have to realise they are not on the pitch to maim opponents.

"I understand they must be competitive but nutting your way through 20 years is not the way to do it."

However, due to the demands on winning, coupled with the defender's experience and success throughout his career, the West Ham chief wouldn't be surprised to see him back in the game.

She added: "Pepe has now said goodbye to his career. No doubt some impressionable soul will give him a job in our game.

"But the fact that a man can stir up so much hatred and contempt is good cause to keep the stadium doors closed on him."

There was plenty of fallout to the clash at the Estadio do Dragao, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Sporting boss Ruben Amorim refused to solely blame the players after the incident and called for an investigation.

"Let there be the same investigation that was carried out with Nuno Santos and punish whoever has to be punished," he told Sport TV (via Record ), referring to the red card shown to Sporting's Santos against Benfica in 2020.

"It's a bad example but it's everyone's fault, not only of the players.

"It is possible he has tried to cleanse his game but you need a scrubbing brush and a bucket of disinfectant to do even a tiny bit of the job."

Porto currently sit top of the table in Portugal, six points ahead of Sporting.