Pepe has shifted the blame of their World cup exit to the Argentine referee who officiated the game against Morocco.
Portugal defender Pepe blamed Argentine referee Facundo Tello and Lionel Messi’s complaints for his country’s World Cup exit.
Morocco sent Portugal packing in Doha with an incredible 1-0 win at the Al Thumama Stadium, becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Speaking to the media, Pepe said: “We conceded a goal that we weren’t expecting but I have to say this is bigger than me and I’m going to have to say it…
“It’s unacceptable for an Argentine referee to referee our game. After what happened yesterday, with Messi talking, all of Argentina talking and the referee comes here to blow the whistle.
“I’m not saying that he comes here conditioned… but what did we play the second half? The goalkeeper dropped to the ground. There were only eight minutes of stoppage time. We worked seriously and the referee eight minutes?
“We didn’t play anything in the second half. The only team that played football was us. We are sad. We had the quality to win the World Cup and we didn’t manage to.”
He added: “I can bet that Argentina will be champions.”
Bruno Fernandes echoed Pepe’s thoughts, questioning why there isn’t a Portuguese referee at the tournament, and dismissing allegations that he dived.
The Manchester United midfielder said: “It’s very strange to have a referee who still has the their national team in competition and we don’t have a Portuguese one.
“Ours referee the Champions League, so they have the quality and level to be here.
“They [World Cup referees] don’t referee Champions, they are not used to these types of games, they don’t have the pace for this. They clearly leaned the field.
“In the first half there is a clear penalty on me. I am isolated and never in my life will I let myself fall when I am alone in front of the goalkeeper and I can shoot on goal in a situation like that.”
