Date set for Pepe ´stamp´ ruling

President Alfredo Florez said the Spanish Fotball Federation will rule on Pepe’s alleged stamp on Lionel Messi on Wednesday.

The federation’s Competition Committee convened on Monday to analyse the reports of the referees who officiated the first-leg matches of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

As the referee failed to see Pepe’s action, the incident was not included in the report, with the RFEF only confirming the Portuguese defender’s 16th-minute booking for a foul on Sergio Busquets via a statement.

With Florez announcing that the incident will be addressed on Wednesday, this means that Pepe may still be punished ahead of Wednesday’s Clasico at Camp Nou.

The Portugal international, who was replaced in the 80th minute of the 2-1 defeat to Barca, did not make the squad for Sunday’s 4-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao.

Meanwhile, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell entered the debate, calling on the RFEF to follow the example of England’s (FA and punish Pepe.

Rosell’s remarks come just hours after Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was charged with violent conduct after he appeared to catch Scott Parker’s head with his foot during the 3-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday.

“It would be good if we could follow the example of countries like England,” Rosell told Punto Pelota.

“When someone goes through a red light, they must be punished, even if the pedestrian who could have been run over does not denounce them.”