After 16 years, Casquero continues to harbor resentment towards Pepe: "I was wronged and he walked away unscathed"
In a frank interview on Radio Marca, Spanish soccer pro Javier Casquero finally broke his silence about the brutal attack he endured at the hands of Real Madrid's Pepe during the heated Real Madrid-Getafe match on April 21, 2009.
"Every time my name pops up, that play comes to mind. I thought, 'What's the deal, man?'", Casquero started off. "Over the course of my 20-year career, I've dealt with my share of good and bad moments. This one, I experienced firsthand, even though I didn't start the trouble, just got caught in the crossfire."
"There was a lot of public fuss because Pepe was a key player for Real Madrid. There were attempts to clean up his image, but I stood my ground and always said that if someone wanted to talk about me, they should give me credit for who I am," he continued, counternarrative to the image management efforts.
"For me, things stay on the field. A handshake should've been enough to settle it. We played against each other several times, but I reckon it's almost embarrassing to think about what I could even say to him," he concluded, alluding to the infamous incident which earned Pepe a 10-game ban.
Also check out: "Pepe drops El Clásico advice for Real Madrid players"
This 2009 controversial confrontation, between Pepe and Casquero, took place during a match between Real Madrid and Getafe. During the altercation, Pepe kicked Casquero twice while he was on the ground and also punched another Getafe player[2][3][5]. This behavior led to Pepe's expulsion and a subsequent suspension, keeping him off the field for the rest of the 2008-2009 season[4].
From Casquero's standpoint, there's limited information regarding his view on the incident. However, such actions by Pepe are generally seen as unacceptable and could lead to severe consequences for the player and the team. The aftermath of the incident was marked by Pepe's suspension, a severe blow to Real Madrid's defensive lineup for the remainder of the season. The incident highlighted Pepe's reputation as a contentious figure in football, with some fans praising him as a passionate player, while others criticized his behavior as reckless and violent[3][5].
- Javier Casquero, the Spanish soccer pro, spoke about the controversial handshake he never got from Pepe, a key player for Real Madrid, following their heated confrontation during the Real Madrid-Getafe match in 2009.
- Despite public efforts to clean up Pepe's image after the incident, Casquero stood his ground and always maintained his stance, saying that if anyone were to talk about him, they should give him credit for who he is.
- The 2009 altercation, which took place during a football match between Real Madrid and Getafe, saw Pepe kicking Casquero twice while he was on the ground and punching another Getafe player.
- This unacceptable behavior led to Pepe's expulsion from the game and a subsequent 10-game ban, affecting Real Madrid's defense for the rest of the 2008-2009 season.
- The European leagues, including LaLiga, have consistently condemned such violent behavior in sports, as it not only impacts the players involved but also tarnishes the reputation of the clubs and leagues themselves.
