Diego Simeone speaks out on incident with Liverpool supporters | OneFootball

Simeone Admits Regrets Over Actions After Anfield Clash

Atletico Madrid’s manager Diego Simeone admitted he has regrets about his actions following a heated clash with Liverpool supporters after a dramatic Champions League opener at Anfield. The match ended with Virgil van Dijk’s 92nd-minute header giving Liverpool a 3-2 victory, and tensions boiled over in the closing moments.

Simeone Confrontation and Regret

Simeone was seen remonstrating with the fourth official, with stewards forming a barrier between him and Liverpool supporters after the late winner. He had to be dragged away before continuing his protests and receiving a red card.

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Speaking after the match, Simeone said: “Firstly I regret the part I played. It’s clear we are in a position where we do not have the right to react and it is not good when we react.”

His words reflected both frustration and a sense of responsibility.

Calls for Action Against Abuse

Despite acknowledging his regret, Simeone made it clear that his reaction was fuelled by what he described as persistent abuse: “We [managers] are in a position where we are protagonists/standard bearers, so in the same manner that we fight against racism and insults in stadiums today, we could also fight on behalf of the managers, against the insults we receive throughout the whole game.”

He added: “It’s not easy to be in the position we are in and receive insults for the whole game. I saw it from far away after the third goal. I saw the third goal go in and I turned, the insults continued, and well, I’m a person.”

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When asked about the specifics, Simeone replied: “The truth is I cannot remember exactly. I don’t want to enter into the situation.”

Emotional Fallout from a Frantic Match

The confrontation came after a match filled with drama and momentum swings. Liverpool struck twice inside six minutes through Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah before Atletico fought back with two goals from Marcos Llorente.

The decisive moment came late, as Van Dijk’s header secured a win for the Premier League leaders and sparked the incident. Simeone reflected: “My reaction isn’t justifiable but do you know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes? I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences.”

Simeone’s Challenge Moving Forward

The Atletico manager’s words highlight the ongoing tension between emotional intensity and professional responsibility. Simeone’s regret over his actions may prompt UEFA to look into sideline behaviour and supporter conduct more closely. The Argentine remains one of the most charismatic figures in football, and how he responds in the next Champions League fixtures will be telling.