Butragueño: Pepe is a nice guy

Real Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueño has jumped to the defence of under-fire marker Pepe, insisting that the Portuguese player “is a nice guy.”

Pepe was roundly condemned after stamping on Lionel Messi's hand during last week's El-Clasico Copa del Rey first leg encounter.

Replays showed that the former Porto central defender had seen Messi's hand before appearing to step on it.

Nevertheless, former Real player Butragueño has come out in support of the beleaguered Pepe.

"Pepe is a nice guy and very passionate. He has suffered because he's a good athlete," Butragueño said according to Sport.

Butragueño though, stopped short of saying whether Pepe would face disciplinary charges from Madrid.

"We have an internal system," he explained. "Much has been said over him, and we are not going to participate with the public discussions. It's something that will be discussed amongst ourselves."

Madrid chief Mourinho though has since stated that Pepe would not face proceedings after deeming his stamp to be accidental.

Butragueño then turned his attentions towards Madrid's must-win Copa del Rey second leg quarter-final clash against Barcelona.

Mourinho's men slumped to a 2-1 home reverse against Pep Guardiola's side and will have to win at the Nou Camp by at least two goals to have any chance of progression to the semi-finals.

"The tie is not over yet. You will se us fight for this shield," he added.