The referee whistled for a penalty when Pepe pushed Getafe's Francisco Casquero three minutes from time.

The Portuguese then lashed out at Casquero, who was lying on the ground, before hitting Getafe midfielder Juan Albin in the face to receive a straight red card.

"I feel terrible; never in my career had this happened to me. I can only ask for the fans' forgiveness because my actions weren't good," Pepe told Real's website.

"Many people know I'm not like this, but I was very tense. I ask all the players, their families, referees and all football fans to forgive me. I now have to wait and see what happens."

Pepe could face a lengthy suspension as referee Carlos Delgado included the incidents in his match report.

Real coach Juande Ramos, who defended Pepe, will be hoping to have the 26-year-old available for the remaining league games as Los Merengues aim to overtake leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona.

The in-form Barcelona are on top of the table on 78 points, three ahead of second-placed Real, who played a game more.