Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone said he regretted his clash with Liverpool fans at the end of their dramatic Champions League clash at Anfield, but revealed it was sparked by “insults” he had received throughout the game.
Virgil van Dijk’s late winner for Liverpool, after Atletico had fought back from two goals down to level the game, sparked a fracas on the touchline which resulted in Simeone getting into an argument with fans behind his dugout.
Stewards had to intervene in the flashpoint before Simeone was sent off by referee Maurizio Mariani.
‘They were shouting insults through whole game’
Diego Simeone had to be held back by stewards at Anfield
Diego Simeone clashes with a Liverpool fan towards the end of the match
Diego Simeone tries to put his side of the story across after being sent off by the referee
Simeone said: “When they scored the third goal he turned around and insulted me. I’m a person, I’m human.”
When asked further about the insults, Simeone added: “They were shouting insults through the whole game from behind the bench and I cannot say anything as I am a coach.
“Obviously my reaction is not justifiable, I insulted him. But it was 90 minutes of being insulted the whole time then you turn around, when your opponent has scored, and they are still insulting you. It is not that easy.
“I am not really going to get into the exact nature of the insults. I don’t want to get into that discussion. I know what went on behind the manager’s bench. I cannot solve society’s problems in one press conference. I have to live with it because it happens all the time.”
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot reacts to Liverpool’s late win while Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone reflects on his red card at Anfield.
Simeone’s side battled back to 2-2 before conceding a stoppage-time winner at Liverpool
UEFA will await the referee’s report before deciding on any possible sanctions following Simeone’s red card, but the Atletico boss said he hoped Liverpool would take action.
“I hope that a team like Liverpool can improve that part,” he added.
“When they identify the person who did this, it should have its consequences.
“But the person who needs to stay calm, and take the insults, is me. In my place you just have to take it.”