Diego Simeone’s behavior on the touchline has been branded ‘terrible’ by experts as Arsenal’s VAR controversy flops against Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone has been criticized for his antics against Arsenal (Image: PA)
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has been criticized for his “brutal” behavior during a VAR check that denied Arsenal a penalty. Arsenal were furious after the final whistle as they were forced to stew over what would happen after a second-half VAR controversy in a 1-1 draw in Spain.
David Hanko, who awarded the first penalty in the first half, was adjudged to have brought down Ebelesi Eze in the box with the score tied. Despite initially believing that Atletico Madrid had committed a foul, Danny McCarey reverted to his original decision after checking the pitchside monitor. McCarey spent 45 seconds in front of the screen and after reviewing 13 replays concluded there was no contact from the centre-backs.
It was a dramatic second half in Madrid, as the Dutch referee twice overturned his initial decision, both times to Arsenal’s disadvantage. The Premier League leaders’ first-half advantage was wiped out after Ben White was penalized for handballing inside the penalty area as he tried to block Marcos Alonso’s volley.
read more: Steven Gerrard clashes with Martin Keown over Mikel Arteta’s actions after Arsenal drawread more: Arsenal three star’s heroic draw at Atletico Madrid as VAR drama overshadows the match
Eze drifted in front of the Atlético defense and appeared to be tripped before hitting the deck, but Victor Goqueres’ opening penalty gave Arsenal a chance to regain the lead from the spot.
However, in a post on UEFA’s match blog, they explained: “The decision has been overturned. There was no penalty. The penalty has been rescinded. There was no foul committed. Atleti player number 17 committed no foul on the opponent.”
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard drew attention to the Argentine tactician’s behavior on the touchline, saying: “Simeone is crazy, slapping players on the back of the head. Simeone, I think he played a big role. From a coaching point of view, his behavior there almost caught the referee’s attention.”
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said after the game: “I don’t think it was simply obvious. The referee should be calling the game. VAR is too involved. That’s not what we wanted from VAR.”
“It’s not part of the protocol for me. But Simeone’s actions on the sideline, the drama he creates and the scene around it, the referee, at the end of the day, I caved under pressure and went to the screen but didn’t stick to his decision. I don’t think he should have been made to go to the screen.”
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Eberechi Eze won a penalty in the second half but it was overturned by VAR (Image: AP)
Gerrard spoke out again, saying: “I have to agree. I don’t think the referee’s decision was clear enough or it was a clear mistake. I’m surprised he was sent to the screen in the first place.”
“If you actually look at the incident, it should have been a soft penalty. There was minimal contact and the defender was just trying to step in, but it wasn’t obvious so I think it would be very tough for Arsenal to overturn that.” TNT Sport’s chief commentator Darren Fletcher suggested the Atleti manager’s protests would have been enough to sway the officials.
He said: “It wasn’t a good night in the Champions League with this type of decision. I wish we could have gotten a wider shot of Simeone’s antics while looking at the screen, but he was literally five yards behind the screen yelling and waving at the referee. If ever there was a time to get a yellow card for trying to influence the referee, that was it.”
But the most scathing review came from Steve McManaman. The TNT Sports pundit said: “We’re talking about VAR again. I mean, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I thought the action had to go along with Martin’s words and I thought the behavior of Diego Simeone and his assistants when the referee tried to come and look at the monitor was terrible.”
“The constant abuse of the fourth official, once he gives the ball away and makes contact, is not an obvious mistake. He shouldn’t go back and officiate again, but I thought he had a bad game.”
Simeone was accused of using the dark arts (Image: Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Asked if he had enough contact with Eze, former Liverpool and Real Madrid star McManaman added: “Steve[Gerrard]that was like the first game and the first game when Gokeres scored a goal he was very clumsy and he’s doing the same thing there.”
“If it had been in the opposite box, Simone would have had a stroke on the sideline and his behavior was frankly awful, absolutely awful.”
Arsenal looked calm in the early stages, but Hanko’s foul on Gokeres broke the deadlock. The striker used his strength to fire a shot past Jan Oblak and beat the hosts’ goalkeeper with his strength.
Former Manchester City forward and Gunners striker Julian Alvarez was given a chance to equalize just before the end.
White was penalized when the ball hit his left hand as he turned his back to block Simeone’s superb free-kick. Alvarez took the penalty with authority and drove it into the top left corner as Raya stood helpless.
Atlético took the initiative when Arsenal were given the opportunity to silence the home supporters. A courier to the area found the former Crystal Palace winger knocked down by a stamp.
However, after a long deliberation, the Dutch referee checked the pitchside monitor and overturned his decision to award Arsenal a penalty. This result puts us in perfect shape for next week’s second leg at the Emirates.
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Arsenal will advance to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and will face Atletico Madrid on April 29th. Fans can watch the game on TNT Sports via HBO Max or the TNT Sports Channel on Prime Video.
