Diego Simeone and Andrea Berta in touchline clash after Arsenal defeat | OneFootball

Diego Simeone clashed with his former Atlético de Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta, now at Arsenal, in the closing moments at the Emirates Stadium. According to L'Équipe, the altercation came during a tense Champions League semi-final second leg.

Arsenal won 1-0 on the night after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Simeone approached Berta and jostled him near the touchline.

Berta had moved towards the pitch to applaud and urge the referee to end the game, which angered Simeone.

UEFA officials and members of both benches stepped in to separate them. Marca reported that heated exchanges continued after the whistle, with Berta having worked alongside Simeone from 2013 to 2025 as technical director then sporting director.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was booked in stoppage time in the 90+3 minute, underlining a fractious finale. The result sent the Gunners into their first Champions League final in 20 years.

Source: L'Équipe