Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has expressed remorse over his heated exchange with Liverpool supporters following a dramatic Champions League opener at Anfield.
The confrontation came after Virgil van Dijk’s 92nd-minute header secured a 3-2 win for the home side, leaving Simeone visibly frustrated by provocations from a small section of fans.
According to BBC Sport on Wednesday, the 55-year-old coach complained to the fourth official as stewards intervened to keep him away from the crowd.
He was eventually restrained, sent off, and forced to walk down the tunnel, continuing his protests along the way.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Simeone reflected on the incident, saying, “Firstly, I regret the part I played. It’s clear we are in a position where we do not have the right to react, and it is not good when we react.”
Despite his regret, he expressed his frustration at what he described as continuous abuse from the home fans.
“We [managers] are in a position where we are protagonists/standard bearers, so in the same manner that we fight against racism and insults in stadiums today, we could also fight on behalf of the managers, against the insults we receive throughout the whole game.
“It’s not easy to be in the position we are in and receive insults for the whole game. I saw it from far away after the third goal. I saw the third goal go in, and the insults continued, and well, I’m a person.”
When asked about the nature of the insults, Simeone replied, “The truth is, I cannot remember exactly. I don’t want to enter into the situation.
“The thing I have is that I have to maintain my position. I need to know how to withstand everything that happens in front of the dugout, and know I cannot fix society. I, and whichever manager, have to live with this because it happens all the time.
“My reaction isn’t justifiable, but do you know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes? I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences.”
The incident capped off a pulsating encounter, with Liverpool taking an early lead through Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah within the first six minutes.
Atletico fought back with two goals from Marcos Llorente to level the match, but Van Dijk’s late header ultimately gave the Premier League leaders the win.
