Porto vs Sporting Lisbon: Pepe at the centre of 40-man brawl as 4 players sent off

• Former Real Madrid man Pepe was at the centre of a mass brawl during the Primera Liga game involving Porto and Sporting CP
• The brawl occurred towards the end of the game, with tens of people involved including staff and ball boys
• As a result, four players from the two teams received red cards as the game ended in a 2-2 draw at the Estadio do Dragao

The game involving historic rivals Porto and Sporting Lisbon descended into pure chaos at the final whistle as match day staff also got involved.

After a dramatic contest at the Estadio do Dragao, the game ended in a 2-2 draw, but that’s not where the action ended.

Sporting CP defender Sporting CP had seen red earlier on in the match, and everything spilled over late in the game, with former Real Madrid man Pepe at the centre of the drama.

Pepe went down in the box from a challenge after being caught by Joao Palhinha's overhead clearance, and the Portugal international stayed on the ground as play went on.

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The referee then blew the whistle and that was when all hell broke loose as brawl involving players and staff soon ensued.

Footage of the chaotic scenes are making rounds on social media and they show substitutes, ball boys and match staff all getting involved in the fight.

At some point, Porto midfielder Otavio can be heard telling Sporting defender Matheus Reis to come inside to finish their feud.

Notably, Reis was one of the players who was seemingly targeted by the ball boys during the melee.

When everything calmed down a little, a total of four players received their marching orders for their part in the chaos - Pepe, Agustin Marchesin, Palhinha and Bruno Tabata.

Fans reaction

Typically, football fans were thoroughly entertained by the scenes in Portugal, and they took to social media to express themselves.

One fan wrote:

"Omo this Porto vs Sporting match lasan, they must ban both clubs cos I've never seen this kind of chaos in any football match before."

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Another stated: "Porto/Sporting games = always cards & carnage."

"Porto vs Sporting has ended in a Royal Rumble. Obviously, Pepe is involved and has been sent off about 10 minutes after the final whistle. Great temperament on display as ever."

Porto are six points ahead of Sporting CP in the league and remain unbeaten in the campaign so far this season.

Meanwhile, Sporting CP turn their attention to the Champions League, where they will face Manchester City next week.