Arsenal-Atletico Madrid it has practically become a political case. The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martinez Almeida, even spoke out about the controversial refereeing episodes of the match: “UEFA didn’t want Atletico in the Champions League finale”, he commented today.
LONDON, ENGLAND – May 5: Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal and David Hancko of Atletico de Madrid jump to hit the ball headers during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid at Arsenal Stadium. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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The mayor of Madrid: “UEFA didn’t want us in the final”
After the comment, harsh, but inherent to sporting issues, made by SneijderThe mayor of the Spanish capital also spoke about the race. José Luis Martinez Almeida, however, focused on the arbitration issues which concern two particularly discussed episodes which have sparked controversy. These are the two penalties not awarded to the team Simeon. The first, on a foul conceded by Giuliano Simeoneand the second on the intervention, perhaps even more clear, of Calafiori on Griezmann.
The mayor, on the sidelines of an institutional event, in fact thundered against UEFA: “When I saw the draw I thought we were going to face Arsenal, and I was wrong. We played against UEFA. And UEFA has made it clear that it does not want Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final“. Heavy words which, without a doubt, will cause discussion and fuel even more debates and controversies.
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And he also lashes out against the referee’s choice
His protests were then directed towards the choice of the race director: the German Daniel Siebert. And the problem lies precisely in his nationality, considered impartial: “It is incomprehensible that they appointed a German referee when Spain and Germany are competing for fifth place in the Champions League“. Not only that, his actions were also decidedly criticized by Almeida as his decisions would have been aimed at damaging the Colchoneros at the behest of UEFA itself: “Yesterday there were some actions that were not due to a more or less poor referee, but in my opinion to a predetermined decision aimed at damaging Atlético Madrid“.
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Simeon 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/6vtmeeFADP
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) May 5, 2026
