Simeone Slammed for VAR Antics After Atletico Draw With Arsenal

Diego Simeone isn’t happy. And Arsenal fans aren’t happy with him either.

Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Arsenal in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday — a match overshadowed by VAR drama and a late penalty overturned against the Gunners. Simeone’s touchline behaviour during the VAR check was described as “atrocious” by TNT Sports pundit Steve McManaman. Footage went viral. Arsenal fans want UEFA to act.

Simeone wasn’t backing down after the game. “In the Champions League semi-finals, as we saw in PSG-Bayern Munich, it has to be a penalty,” he said, defending the spot-kick Atletico were awarded. “Thanks to VAR, ours was given.”

There was more controversy before kickoff too — Arsenal staff demanded an emergency UEFA pitch inspection, citing the grass height. It came back at 26mm. Fine.

Second leg at the Emirates. It’s going to be heated.