Manchester City and Atletico Madrid players were involved in an on-pitch brawl and post-game tunnel altercation in a hot-tempered Champions League quarter-final.
The Athletic understands that UEFA are likely to take disciplinary action over events at the end of the game.
A challenge from Atletico’s Felipe on City’s Phil Foden provoked a melee between the two sets of players in the 89th minute.
Felipe was shown a second yellow card by referee Daniel Siebert, while Nathan Ake and former City defender Stefan Savic were also cautioned after the incident
Broadcast images appeared to show Savic in conversation with Jack Grealish, with the Montenegrin seemingly grabbing the City man by the hair. Savic then appeared to headbutt Raheem Sterling.
City’s Joao Cancelo and Atletico head coach Diego Simeone were seen arguing after the match on the pitch, following the nine minutes of added time that were played.
BT Sport then reported police officers intervened in the Wanda Metropolitano tunnel after a post-match incident, with Savic again involved.
Footage from a French broadcaster appeared to show a mass altercation between players and staff from City and Atletico, with an object thrown by Sime Vrsaljko towards Aymeric Laporte and members of the away side’s backroom team.
Vrsaljko then had to be held back as the players and staff headed into the concourse, with Kyle Walker, who had been taken off due to injury during the second half, also restrained.
Grealish, an unused substitute on the night, had been on the end of several strong challenges during last week’s first leg, with Vrsaljko booked late on.
After the match, City manager Pep Guardiola said he had “nothing to say” on Atletico’s tactics or conduct, as well as a perceived targeting of Phil Foden.
City’s John Stones added: “I’m so proud of the lads today with how we kept our control, our tempers.
“It’s so easy to get drawn into stuff like that.”
The game finished goalless in Madrid, with City progressing thanks to their 1-0 win at the Etihad last week. They will face Real Madrid later this month in the semi-finals.
(Photo: Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Man City and Atletico players in post-match tunnel altercation after brawl during Champions League tie - The Athletic
Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment