Mayor of Madrid slams UEFA 'plan' in shock outburst amid Arsenal vs Atletico controversy: 'There was intent'

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·7 May 2026

Mayor of Madrid slams UEFA 'plan' in shock outburst amid Arsenal vs Atletico controversy: 'There was intent'

Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida felt Rojiblancos were denied clear penalties as they exited Champions League

The Mayor of Madrid has weighed in on the controversial officiating decisions in Arsenal’s Champions League defeat of Atletico, suggesting the match was rigged against the La Liga side.

OneFootball Videos

The Gunners beat Diego Simeone’s Atletico 1-0 on Tuesday night to qualify for their first Champions League final since 2006, but despite what the scoreline may suggest, the match was not without drama.

Referee Daniel Siebert did not grant Atletico a penalty when Gabriel clumsily brought Giuliano Simeone down in the box, and again later when Riccardo Calafiori stamped on Antoine Griezmann.

Diego Simeone later described the penalty shouts as ‘clear’, and Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida has echoed his complaints.

His main frustration surrounded the fact that a German referee was appointed to take charge of the tie, when victory for Arsenal would likely have led to the Bundesliga gaining an extra Champions League place at La Liga’s expense.

Martinez-Almeida began: “We Atletico fans are proud of our team because they competed not against Arsenal, but against UEFA. You can beat Arsenal over 180 minutes, but you can’t beat UEFA.

“UEFA set its entire machinery in motion to prevent Atletico from advancing in that match, and the referee was the one who carried out that plan. There was intent. We couldn’t beat UEFA, and it was impossible to beat them.”

Atletico players and staff took issue with referee Daniel Siebert’s decisions

Getty

Martinez-Almeida, spokesperson of the conservative Christian People’s Party, has served as Madrid’s mayor since 2019. He was born in Madrid and is a known Atletico supporter.

Speaking during a press conference at Madrid’s Palacio de Cibeles, Martinez-Almeida continued to rage against the referees, describing the situation as ‘incomprehensible’.

“When I saw the draw, I thought we’d drawn Arsenal, but I was wrong; we drew UEFA. UEFA has made it clear they didn’t want Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final.

“It’s incomprehensible that they appointed a German referee when Spain and Germany are fighting for the fifth Champions League spot.”