Madrid (AP) – After the Champions League game between Atlético Madrid and Manchester City, there was a police operation in the cabin aisle of the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
First there was pack formation and scuffles on the soccer field, then emotions boiled over in the dressing room: After the heated final phase, the players and supervisors of both teams clashed again. As video recordings from the cabin aisle show, the police even intervened on Wednesday evening to prevent worse things from happening.
The day after the game, the European Football Union informed dpa that the report from the officials around the Berlin referee Daniel Siebert had been transmitted. This would now be evaluated. Until then, no further information can be given.
Hamann demands punishment
Meanwhile, former international Dietmar Hamann has called for Atlético Madrid to be punished by UEFA. These fights and hair pulling are not appropriate, the players have a role model function, said Hamann on the Sky TV channel and denounced the behavior of the Atlético players. “I really hope that UEFA will intervene and give them a real slap in the face. These scenes don’t work,” said the 48-year-old. There is no excuse that they play physically and that emotions are involved. “When the game is over, you shake hands and move on.”
Once again, Atlético showed no respect for the opponent and the sport. “They owe that to football, to the fans, to the people in the world. And I hope that they will be sanctioned now,” said Hamann.
The dispute ignited after Atlético’s Felipe was sent off with yellow-red in injury time after a foul on Phil Foden. Madrid’s Stefan Savic then stormed furiously towards the Englishman and had to be held back by other players. He went head-to-head with Manchester’s Raheem Sterling and pulled City substitute Jack Grealish and Nathan Aké by the hair. The defender saw a yellow card from referee Siebert.
Dispute between Savic and Grealish escalates
In the tunnel, the dispute between Savic and English international Grealish escalated again. According to the newspaper “AS”, Savic yelled at the City players and is said to have spat on them. According to a report by the “Daily Mirror”, Atlético defender Sime Vrsaljko verbally attacked Manchester’s Spanish international Aymeric Laporte and threw an object in his direction. Vrsaljko then tried to throw himself at the opponents, who were shielded by police officers, Spanish media reports. A few Atlético men just managed to hold Vrsaljkos back. As things progressed, it looked like he was going to spit wildly towards the English. According to “Marca”, Mario Hermoso and Atlético sports director Andrea Berta were also involved in the incidents.
Atlético missed out on reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League after losing 0-0 and 1-0 in the first leg in Manchester. “A tense, nervous evening ended with City advancing to the semi-finals of the Champions League by a goal and a scuffle in the tunnel ensued,” commented The Guardian. And “The Telegraph” wrote: “Manchester City’s quarter-final showdown with Atlético Madrid in the Champions League escalated into chaos in the 11-minute stoppage-time madness, with a mass brawl, a red card, what appears to be a headbutt and a police presence after the final whistle.”