**[Arsenal](https://sportwitness.co.uk/arsenal/) have moved to defend Andrea Berta following his clash with Atlético de Madrid manager Diego Simeone in Tuesday’s 1-0 win.**
[Mundo Deportivo report that sources at Arsenal](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/atletico-madrid/20260506/1004179746/arsenal-defiende-andrea-berta-encontronazo-simeone.html) are determined to defender their director of football following the clash on the sidelines at the end of the game.
**Arsenal defend Andrea Berta**
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Andrea Berta ended up in a heated exchange with Simeone on the touchline in the dying minutes of Arsenal’s 1-0 win at the Emirates.
Berta previously worked at Atlético. But he has been in charge of Arsenal’s sporting operations since last year. And his new loyalty seems to have led to issues with Simeone. The Argentine coach pushed the director in the chest as Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League final.
The Arsenal chief has received criticism since, but Arsenal sources indicate to Mundo Deportivo that Berta was not at fault.
They insist that Berta was not celebrating his team’s qualification for the final in Budapest, that he was not on the pitch and that his gestures, raising his arms and pointing at his watch, were directed at the referee. The latter was because five minutes of added time had already elapsed.
At the time of the incident, Berta was between the two technical areas and away from the pitch. Simeone, upon seeing him, approached and gave him a slight push. This sparked a minor scuffle.
**Arsenal defensive**
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But Arsenal maintain that there is no problem between the two men. They are adamant that Berta had no ill intent whatsoever. It seems the Gunners are intent on letting everyone know that Berta was not to blame for the incident.
Whether both men are punished by UEFA remains to be seen. The fact the fourth official and others were forced to intervene will surely mean a review is on the way.
Perhaps that is why Arsenal are putting their stance out in Spain, where Berta is presumably being blamed for a wholly unnecessary affair.