by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
As they chase for their third successive Spanish title, Real Madrid will be without centerback Pepe as he was given a ten game suspension Friday for his violent actions against a pair of Getafe players in a league game earlier this week.
The ban means the Portugal defender will miss the remainder of the season as well as the beginning of the 2009-2010 season. Pepe was suspended ten matches for his aggressive outburst on Tuesday which included kicking and punching players and insulting a referee.
Real Madrid sits six points back of first place Barcelona, which it faces on May 3.
Here are some more stories to help kickoff your weekend:
Inter parts ways with Adriano
Inter Milan has released striker Adriano after the Brazilian international failed to return from a pair of World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.
A statement on the club's website read: "Inter's appreciation goes to Adriano for the eight years and 74 goals we lived through together."
Adriano had announced ealrier this month that he was going to take a break from soccer as he had lost the love for the sport.
Angola eyes Scolari
According to reports out of Portugal, experienced coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is close to accepting the manager position for Angola. Although the team has been eliminated from qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, the Angolan Football Association would like Scolari to be at the helm when the African country hosts the African Nations Cup earlier that year.
The World Cup-winning coach, who was relieved of his duties from Chelsea FC two months ago, is reportedly going to make his decision once he does fact finding trip in Angola.
MLS to receive $10 million for Beckham's loan deal
Major League Soccer will be receiving $10 million as a result of allowing David Beckham to remain with AC Milan until season's end.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber told reporters that they had asked for that amount in order to allow the former England captain to stay in Italy for the remainder of the Serie A season. It is uncertain as to how much of the compensation came from Beckham and how much came from Milan.
Beckham will return to the Galaxy on July 1.
Is Pepe's suspension too lenient? Do you ever see Adriano returning to soccer? Think Scolari can work his magic with Angola? Happy to see MLS gain so much out of the Beckham deal?
Share your thoughts below.