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Diego Simeone confronts Ben White down tunnel; Declan Rice angry at Arsenal VAR controversy

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Diego Simeone confronts Ben White down tunnel; Declan Rice angry at Arsenal VAR controversy

Diego Simeone confronts Ben White down the tunnel, and Declan Rice was angry at Arsenal VAR controversy during the 1-1 draw with Atletico.

The Champions League semi final 1st leg saw Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal ahead with a spot kick just before half time, before Julian Alvarez levelled with his penalty after a Ben White handball on the 54th minute.

Antoine Griezmann also had an effort come back off the crossbar, while Eberechi Eze saw a penalty decision overturned by VAR.

On his way to the tunnel, Arsenal’s Ben White walked across the club’s badge, with Diego Simeone immediately calling him out.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports: “Speaking to the boys and understanding the penalty incident for the second goal getting overturned. It was against the rules and I don’t understand it. Very upset. There is clear contact; he makes the decision and you can’t overturn it when you have to watch it 13 times.

Was the referee influenced? “I don’t know. That’s an answer for him. It’s the wrong decions and it changes the course of the tie.

On Atletico’s penalty: “It is a rule and they have been quite consistent with that. I have nothing to say on that. The one I have to say is the penalty.

“There are a lot of positives. A lot of very good things that we did. We knew we would have tough moments. Their home record is once again.

“We are in an incredible position. We have to play in front of our people. It is in our hands.

On playing Fulham on Saturday: “Make sure they eat, sleep and get a lot of love to make sure they are in the best position.”

 Arteta on the incidents. He said: “In the manner that we conceded the penalty, we were disappointed. In the Premier League, it’s not a penalty, but here I have to accept that this is handball.

“But what I’m incredibly fuming with is how the hell the penalty on Eze gets overturned in the manner that it happened when there is no clear and obvious error? And this changes the course of the game. And at this level, I’m sorry but this cannot happen.

“When a referee has to watch it 13 times, what is clear about that? It’s impossible and we are all fuming about it. We need to apply the rules.

“When you have fought so hard for nine months to be in this position, that goal could have completely changed the course of the tie. And it cannot happen. I’m sorry. We put so much on it. So, so, so much on it. This cannot happen.”

When pressed on whether he would raise the matter with UEFA, Arteta responded: “I think that it’s up to the club to decide the best thing to do. Now they’re not going to give us a penalty. That’s gone. And that’s it. That’s over.”

Declan Rice said: “UEFA (Champions League) is totally different, I think. In both boxes you have to be so careful because they give absolutely everything.

“The second one, Ebs’ one, it’s a clear penalty. I don’t know how that’s not been given. I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the ref’s mind. But it doesn’t matter, we move on to next week and we want to beat them at home.”

On the second VAR intervention, with  Ben White being judged to have handled Marcos Llorente’s volley, which Julian Alvarez coolly converted from the spot. “I’ve not seen it back yet,” Rice told Stan Sport straight after the final whistle. “At first glance I thought that maybe if it’s in the Premier League it doesn’t get given because it’s so low to the ground.

“The ball’s not going on target. But then UEFA (matches) are totally different rules…hands away from the body. I think with UEFA they give it but Premier League, I’m not so sure.”

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokores said to TNT Sports, as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “I think in the first half we controlled the game quite well. We had a few good opportunities and managed to score. In the second half they started much better and managed to get a goal and then towards the end we had a few okay chances. Overall it was a tough game, it’s a tough place to come but it’s only half time.

“I didn’t see either of the penalties so it’s difficult to say but that’s football. I don’t know why they turned the second penalty down (on Eze), it looks like contact but it’s the referee’s decision.

“It was not easy once they scored, they have the crowd here. We tried to play and get that momentum back that we had in the first half, towards the end we did but it was a tough second half.

“We know when we play at home with our fans it’s going to be different. We just have to do our job and be at our best.”

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak speaking to TNT Sports: “It was an intense game from both sides. Both sides were looking for a win but I think we had a good game but at 1-1, there’s a lot to decide in London next week.

“There’s always relief when a penalty is overturned, I hope I would have stopped it anyway. It was the referee’s decision to change it and we agree with him.

“I was close to stopping the first penalty but it was just the power. He hit it with maximum power but it’s in the past. We need to focus firstly on the weekend and then to London.

“We will not think about the previous game where we lost 4-0 there. I believe it will be a different game and we will do everything to get a good result and get to the final.

“We don’t think about lifting the trophy, first we need to work on the pitch in the second leg. Arsenal want to win the Champions League as well so we need to pass them first.”



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