According to a note posted on the FPF’s official website, the 36-year-old suffered a scapula fracture in Wednesday’s semi-final against Switzerland and was deemed unfit by FPF medics.

For this reason, the FC Porto player was discharged from the Portuguese squad, whose members are now in Porto to prepare for the League of Nations final.

Pepe played in Wednesday’s semi-final in the Porto Dragon Stadium, but was taken off in the 63rd minute, to be replaced by José Fonte, at a time when the game was tied 1-1. Portugal eventually one 3-1, thanks to three goals from the team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo.

National coach Fernando Santos is unable to call up any more players and so has only two true central defenders for the final, Rúben Dias and Fonte. Danilo, who missed the semi-finals for disciplinary reasons, is usually a midfielder, but can also play at the back.

The second semi-final is scheduled for Thursday night at 7.45pm in Guimarães, where England and the Netherlands compete to face Portugal in Sunday’s final in Porto.

Photo: Pepe - Facebook