Arsenal's Ben White takes on Matteo Ruggeri of Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano in Madrid last night. Spain Photo: Maria Gracia Jimenez
Arsenal's Ben White takes on Matteo Ruggeri of Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano in Madrid last night. Spain Photo: Maria Gracia Jimenez
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Ben White was involved in a tunnel clash with Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone after the Arsenal defender stepped on the Spanish club’s badge walking off the pitch following their Champions League semi-final.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their tie in a game that was dominated by penalty decisions, with Arsenal furious VAR overturned a spot kick awarded to them late in the game.
And tempers were running high when the players left the field at the end of the match. Atlético have a club badge emblazoned on the pitch in front of the tunnel area, and White walked directly across it when returning to the dressing room.
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That sparked a furious reaction led by Simeone, the Atlético manager, and published in a video by Spanish outlet Marca.
The Argentine pulled his son, winger Giuliano Simeone, away from White before giving the Englishman what seemed to be a sarcastic clap on the back.
White appeared to say something in response to Simeone before the Arsenal man was pushed backwards − although it was not clear if that was by Simeone − with Martín Zubimendi then escorting his team-mate down the tunnel.
It is considered disrespectful by many to step on club badges, which are common in the major Spanish grounds.
TNT published a video on the issue last year, asking a number of players if walking on the badge is a sign of disrespect with some − such as Virgil van Dijk and Dominic Solanke − denying it was.
The incident will only serve to heighten tensions ahead of Tuesday’s second leg at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
Viktor Gyokeres had given Mikel Arteta’s side the lead with a first-half penalty only for Julián Alvarez to equalise from the spot after a handball by White.
The main controversy, however, came when referee Danny Makkelie overturned his decision to award a spot kick for a challenge by David Hancko on Eberechi Eze. Arteta declared himself “absolutely fuming” at the decision, which came under huge pressure from Simeone and the Atlético crowd.
Arsenal have not reached the Champions League final since 2006, and neither they or Atlético have won the competition. The winner of their tie will play either Paris St-Germain or Bayern Munich, who played out a sensational game in their first leg with the French side winning 5-4.