Atletico Madrid manager was sent off for confronting home supporters in Champions League match
Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone following his dismissal during last week’s Champions League match against Liverpool at Anfield.
Simeone was shown a straight red card in stoppage time of Atletico’s 3-2 defeat after a heated exchange with supporters seated behind the visitors’ dugout.
Television footage showed the Argentine twice approaching the same section of the stand before being pulled away by stewards and members of his coaching staff.
Clips that circulated on social media also showed what seemed to be further confrontations between Atletico staff and the Liverpool fans, including an incident in which a staff member threw a bottle towards the crowd. One staff member was also alleged to have spat in the direction of spectators.
After the game Simeone admitted his reaction was wrong and “not justifiable” but he said he had been provoked by abuse from fans throughout the night.
“It was 90 minutes of being insulted the whole time,” said Simeone. “Then you turn around, when your opponent has scored, and they are still insulting you. It is not that easy.
“The referee understood the situation. I hope that a team like Liverpool can improve that part. When they identify the person who did this, it should have consequences.
“But he who needs to stay calm, and take the insults, is me. In my place, you just have to take it.”
Liverpool have also been charged by Uefa for the conduct of their fans during the game.
