'Atrocious' Diego Simeone antics during VAR drama against Arsenal is why 'people don't like Atletico Madrid' - Steve McManaman

React to this story

Steve McManaman led the criticism of Diego Simeone after Atletico Madrid were let off the hook by VAR helping to overturn an on-field penalty decision against Arsenal.

Watch the Simeone antics that were called out for being 'atrocious'

Video credit: TNT Sports

During Wednesday's 1-1 draw in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, it was a tale of three penalties - two given and one wiped out.

Mikel Arteta's side ensured they head back to Emirates Stadium for next week's second leg not needing to make up a deficit - but it might have been so much sweeter for The Gunners.

David Hancko - who was guilty of upending Viktor Gyokeres inside the box in the first half, which led to the Sweden international breaking the deadlock from 12 yards - was the man in the spotlight again when substitute Eberechi Eze went down inside the penalty area during the second half.

Champions League

Gerrard recalls 'chaotic' half-time dressing room during 2005 UCL final

12/06/2026 at 13:55

Initially, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot - but after being told by VAR Dennis Higler to consult his pitchside monitor, and an interminable wait in which the incident was viewed 13 times - the on-field decision was overturned.

McManaman didn't hold back in his views on Simeone, who was an animated presence on the touchline throughout the game - and especially during the time it took to overturn Arsenal's second on-field penalty award.

McManaman told TNT Sports: "We're talking about VAR, again. I absolutely hate it. It spoils the game.

"I thought the behaviour of Diego Simeone and his assistants when the referee was trying to come over and look at the monitor was atrocious.

"The constant haranguing of the fourth official... Once he gives it, and there's contact, it's not a clear and obvious error. You shouldn't go back and re-ref it again.

"It baffles me, but I thought the referee had an awful game, and I thought the VAR sitting quietly out the way, was poor.

"I can guarantee that if that was in the opposite box, Simeone would be going apoplectic for a penalty. His behaviour, honestly, is awful.

"Absolutely awful. Simeone's behaviour, along with his No. 2 and No. 3 with the fourth official and the referee when he came across was terrible.

"Absolutely awful. He'd change his mind depending on if it was an Arsenal or an Atletico player.

"His performance was terrible, and that's why people don't like the dark arts and don't like Atletico Madrid.

"We are going down a rabbit hole with VAR. It is a legitimate penalty that the referee has given and that should be the end of it."

'I hate, hate, hate it' - McManaman says VAR 'spoils game'

Video credit: TNT Sports

'Referee buckled under pressure' - Keown

Fellow TNT Sports expert Martin Keown felt as though Makkelie bowed to the pressure inside the stadium, with Simeone bellowing his disapproval at the call to award Arsenal a second penalty of the evening.

"I simply don't think it was clear and obvious [to overturn the on-field decision]," Keown said.

"The referee should be allowed to referee the game, and the VAR has got too involved. It's not what we wanted with VAR. It's not part of the protocol, really.

"Simeone's actions to the sidelines, the drama he creates and the scenes around it, the referee in the end buckled under the pressure and went to the screen, and didn't stand by his decision.

"I don't think he should have been made to go to the screen. There's definite contact. If that's your player [Hancko], you're thinking 'goodness me, you've already given one penalty away'. It's really sloppy from the defender.

"The Arsenal fans going to the second leg have got to make it equally as horrible for the opposition.

"Look at Simeone, the way he's running around there, honestly, you've got to keep your decorum after a game but something was very wrong there tonight.

"Simeone orchestrates the crowd here, but he also orchestrates the officials, He does that as well, and he creates a drama.

"VAR makes the referee look so foolish, where he can't make a decision for himself. It put him in a really difficult position."

When Steven Gerrard challenged Keown to suggest Simeone's antics are no different to Arteta in the Premier League, Keown retorted: "He does, but not quite like this man.

"He's the master. Simeone is ahead of everybody. It would be interesting to have a tracker on him, the amount he moves."

Gerrard concurred with Keown's overall assessment of the incident, however, claiming that there was not enough evidence to overturn the initial decision.

"I have to agree with Martin," the Liverpool icon said. "I don't think it was clear enough for it to be overturned. It wasn't a clear and obvious mistake from the referee.

"I'm surprised he got sent to the screen in the first place. When you actually look at the incident, it would've been a soft penalty, and there was minimal contact.

"I think the defender was just trying to plant his leg, but I think it was really harsh on Arsenal to overturn that because it's not a clear and obvious mistake from the referee."

Atletico, feeling aggrieved after Gyokeres effectively bought his own penalty to notch his third goal of the season against the Spanish side, were gifted a penalty of their own when Ben White was deemed to have handled inside the box.

The match official again required the assistance of his pitchside monitor to overturn his initial decision to play on - and replays showed the ball deflected off White's leg before striking his hand low down to his side.

But, after Paris Saint-Germain were awarded a penalty in similar circumstances during Tuesday's pulsating 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes, there only seemed one outcome.

Gerrard said: "I think the referees have been influenced by the decision that happened last night.

"They have seen the handball committed by Alphonso Davies that led to a penalty and thought, 'we need to follow suit and give this one from Ben White' - even if he tries to move his arm out of the way."