Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone admitted he regretted his confrontation with Liverpool supporters during Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Anfield, though he insisted that his reaction was provoked by repeated insults from the stands.
The heated exchange came moments after Virgil van Dijk struck a late winner to seal Liverpool’s 3-2 victory, shortly after Atlético had fought back from two goals down thanks to a Marcos Llorente brace. As celebrations erupted, Simeone turned towards the crowd behind his bench and clashed with fans, prompting stewards to intervene. Referee Maurizio Mariani then sent him off.
Explaining the incident afterwards, Simeone said, “When they scored the third goal he turned around and insulted me. I’m a person, I’m human.”
“They were shouting insults through the whole game from behind the bench and I cannot say anything as I am a coach. Obviously my reaction is not justifiable, I insulted him. But it was 90 minutes of being insulted the whole time then you turn around, when your opponent has scored, and they are still insulting you. It is not that easy,” he said after the game.
Watch a video of the fan's heated moment and Simeone's reaction here Simeone declined to elaborate on the nature of the abuse, saying, “I am not really going to get into the exact nature of the insults.
I don’t want to get into that discussion. I know what went on behind the manager’s bench. I cannot solve society’s problems in one press conference. I have to live with it because it happens all the time.”
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UEFA is awaiting the referee’s report before considering disciplinary action, but Simeone suggested Liverpool should also address the matter. “I hope that a team like Liverpool can improve that part. When they identify the person who did this, it should have its consequences. But the person who needs to stay calm, and take the insults, is me. In my place you just have to take it,” he said.