Arsenal and Atletico Madrid played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, after which Atletico boss Diego Simeone was involved in a heated tunnel confrontation with Arsenal's Ben White
11:40, 30 Apr 2026
Ben White and Diego Simeone
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Ben White clashed with Diego Simeone
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and Ben White became embroiled in a fiery confrontation following Arsenal's 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital.
Simeone seemed to take exception to White stepping across his team's badge, which sits on the turf before the tunnel leading into the stadium's interior. An Atletico player initially confronted White as they began to disappear from the pitch's view before Simeone steered his player away.
The former Argentina international then seemed to pat White's back twice, sparking a heated war of words after the Arsenal defender took umbrage at his opponent's gesture.
During an intense soccer match, two players are fiercely competing for the ball on the field, with an audience attentively observing in the background.
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Arsenal and Atleti played out a 1-1 draw(Image: Getty Images)
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Simeone subsequently shoved White away on two occasions as both sets of players attempted to separate while heading down the tunnel. Level heads appeared to have just about triumphed.
The incident stood in sharp contrast to the welcome he extended to fellow Argentine and Arsenal coach Gabriel Heinze. The duo embraced before parting company, with Simeone receiving a more lukewarm response after exchanging pleasantries with Arsenal's coaching staff.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may have avoided trouble while leaving the field, but there was unmistakably a trace of frustration in his manner.
The Gunners had a spot-kick reversed during the match's second half, robbing them of a chance to take the lead in the tie. Arteta branded the decision to overturn a penalty for the foul on Eberechi Eze as unacceptable.
Reflecting on the match, he said: "We did what we wanted, went ahead with the penalty. That is something we knew we would have to go through.", reports the Mirror.
"In the Premier League, it is not a penalty [the handball by White], but how consistent they have been, I have to accept it.
"What I am incredibly fuming about is the penalty that is overturned on Ebz. At this level, I am sorry it is not acceptable."
"When you have fought so hard for nine months to be in this position. It cannot happen. We put so much on it."
There was also irritation with Simeone's impact on proceedings, with his confrontation with White unlikely to improve Steve McManaman's view of him.
Speaking after the match, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid legend said: "We could see, sometimes the cameras wouldn't show it with the Spanish directors, but we could see what was going on.
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"His behaviour, his number two and three with the officials was terrible. Absolutely awful. He'd change his mind, his performance was terrible that's why people don't like the dark arts (or) Atletico Madrid."