Arsenal defender Ben White was spotted in an angry confrontation with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone following their 1-1 draw in the Champions League. As the pair walked down the tunnel following the conclusion of a controversial match, with two penalties handed out and another call overturned, Simeone appeared to take offence at the England man.
The incident appeared to be sparked by White stepping on the Atletico badge as he made his way off the pitch. Shortly after, Simeone marched towards the 28-year-old and they exchanged heated words before a host of players from each pitch joined in, with tensions high.
Simeone could be seen pushing White as the two came face-to-face. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi were two of the Gunners to try and placate the situation as they tried to usher White away.
Security then rushed to intervene and break up the pair.
White was in the middle of one of the game’s more controversial moments, as he gave away a penalty for handball in the second half.
A shot from the edge of the box hit his arm after bouncing off the turf, with the referee pointing to the spot. Julian Alvarez tucked the ball away from 12 yards to restore parity, after Viktor Gyokeres scored in the first half.
Arsenal then had a penalty shout denied, even after the referee initially pointed to the spot when Eberechi Eze fell to the floor near David Hanko.
He fumed: “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.”
When asked if the official was influenced by the chaotic scenes inside the Metropolitano Stadium, he replied: “I don’t know. That’s an answer for him. It’s the wrong decision and it changes the course of the tie.”
Though he did admit that White’s handball was correct, by the letter of the law, adding: “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.