Tempers flared on the touchline in the dying embers of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid
22:04, 05 May 2026Updated 22:25, 05 May 2026
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone appeared to push Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone shoved Arsenal sporting director Andera Berta just moments before the full-time whistle as the Gunners beat the La Liga side to reach the Champions League final.
Arsenal defeated the La Liga side 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium with Bukayo Saka scoring the decisive goal just before half-time to seal their first Champions League Final since 2006.
Several players and staff were booked on both benches as the clock ticked towards the final whistle. However, there was a flashpoint in the 95th minute as the ball went out of play between both dugouts.
Both Mikel Arteta and Berta could be seen calling for the referee to blow his whistle for full-time, with the Gunners boss positioned in his technical area. Berta was near the fourth official and Simeone made a beeline for his former colleague and shoved him back towards the tunnel.
The pair know each other well from their time in Madrid, with the Italian only leaving the club last summer in order to join the Gunners.
The Arsenal sporting director spent 13 years at Atleti, working closely with Simeone to oversee transfer activity at the La Liga club.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
But there was no love lost between the two and staff from both benches had to separate the two men, while the fourth official also intervened to move Simeone back into his technical area.
The Atleti boss could be seen gesturing to the referee to move the Arsenal officials back away from the sideline.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring against Atletico at the Emirates(Image: 2026 Gaspafotos/MB Media)
Speaking on commentary duty for Amazon Prime, Jon Champion said: “All sorts of antics and now it’s kicking off down in the technical area.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people down on the touchline,” co-commentator Alan Shearer said.
“This has been fizzing for a fair while,” Champion added. “Nelson Vivas and a couple of members of the Atletic coaching staff being sent back to their dugout. Calafiori of the Arsenal bench [also being sent back].”
Arsenal will now be watching tomorrow’s clash between Bayern Munich and PSG with a keen eye, to find out who will meet them in Budapest in the final.