The clash between Atlético de Madrid and Arsenal FC continues to generate ink. The day after the draw in the Champions League semi-final, a new controversy quickly emerged, fueling tensions around the match.
Already very upset at the final whistle, Mikel Arteta had strongly contested several refereeing decisions, including a penalty awarded for a handball from Ben White, considered harsh. The Gunners coach also protested against another incident of play: a penalty first whistled for a foul on Eze, before being canceled after intervention by the VAR, a turnaround which reinforced the incomprehension on the London side.
“It’s unbelievable, I’m furious at the way that penalty on Eze was overturned. It changes the course of the match, and I’m sorry, but at this level it can’t happen. We fought so hard for nine months to get to this position. It’s a goal that could have completely changed the course of this confrontation. This is unacceptable”railed the Spanish technician.
A complaint against Atlético
But the matter does not end there. The next day, Arsenal went on the offensive by filing an official complaint with UEFA. According to A.S.Diego Simeone is directly targeted in this case. The English club also blames the playing conditions, pointing to a pitch that is considered faulty. UEFA delegates had to intervene before kick-off to check its dimensions. On the pitch, this factor would have weighed heavily according to the Arsenal players, hampered in their support and their balance, which could partly explain their lackluster performance.
A situation far from isolated for the Colchoneros, who are facing a third complaint in a few weeks. Before Arsenal, FC Barcelona had already taken legal action for similar reasons, denouncing both the arbitration and the state of the pitch.
