Roma midfielder Seydou Keita has revealed his anger on Twitter over alleged racial abuse by Real Madrid defender Pepe in a 1-0 friendly victory over Los Blancos. A bust-up followed, with Keita reacting violently to Pepe’s abuse.
The disagreement began three years ago in an El Clasico match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2011, when Keita, playing for Barcelona, claimed that the Portuguese defender referred to him as a “monkey”, an insult which Keita, seemingly, did not forget.
Now, three years later, during the next encounter between the two, Keita refused to shake Pepe’s hand before the match. A bust-up ensued; Keita threw his water bottle at Pepe, who spat back in outrage, and both sides became involved.
Keita then made a statement on twitter, explaining the situation: “One he calls me monkey Madrid Barca. Two I do not shake hands. Three spits on me after I throw bottle sorry for my attitude”.
Whether Pepe did abuse Keita in El Clasico cannot be confirmed. Keita then justified his handshake refusal by claiming “I think I have the right not to greet those who call me monkey. Besides, he also spit me: impossible to accept.”
Keita’s side finished on top after Francesco Totti volleyed in the winner on 58 minutes to give Italian side a win over Los Blancos, which proved enough to keep out a somewhat tame Real side.
