MAD-RID

Simeone Jr Blasts ‘Ignored’ Penalty Claims After Champions League Exit

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Atletico Madrid were left frustrated on Tuesday night as their Champions League campaign came to an end with a semi-final defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The winning moment came in the first half when Bukayo Saka reacted quickest after Jan Oblak parried Leandro Trossard’s effort, bundling the ball home to give Arsenal a 1–0 lead — a scoreline they would hold until full-time.

However, the Spanish side were convinced the match could have taken a different turn.

Atletico’s main complaint came midway through the second half, when Giuliano Simeone broke through on goal and went down under pressure from Gabriel Magalhaes. Although appeals for a penalty were immediately made, play was not reviewed by VAR after the assistant referee had already flagged an offside in the build-up. Replays later suggested Simeone may have been level when the pass was played, raising questions over whether the attacking phase should have been allowed to continue.

Following the incident, Simeone shared images on social media highlighting the moment, questioning why the decision had not been reviewed in full.

Shortly after, Atletico were again denied a penalty when Antoine Griezmann went down in the box following a challenge from Riccardo Calafiori. On this occasion, VAR upheld the on-field decision, citing a prior foul by Marc Pubill on Gabriel Magalhães earlier in the move, which had already ended the attacking sequence.

Despite the disputed incidents, Atletico manager Diego Simeone declined to criticise the officials after the match, saying: “I won’t focus on that. It would be an excuse, and I don’t want to make excuses.”

Arsenal progress to the final in Budapest, where they will aim to secure their first Champions League title. For Atletico, the search for a maiden European crown continues.