Diego Simeone learns punishment for red card after confrontation with fan in Atletico Madrid's Champions League defeat by Liverpool - as Reds are also sanctioned

1 hour ago 1

By LIAM MORGAN, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 16:25 BST, 30 September 2025 | Updated: 16:25 BST, 30 September 2025

Diego Simeone has been hit with a one-match ban after the furious Atletico Madrid boss was sent off in their Champions League defeat by Liverpool.

Simeone was given a red card after flying into a rage which appeared to be sparked by a confrontation with a Reds supporter in the stands at Anfield.

Liverpool fan Jonny Poulter later identified himself as the man who caused the Argentinian's meltdown after Virgil van Dijk scored a late winner.

Poulter, 30, was sat behind the dugout and video footage showed Simeone confronting him. 

The seething Simeone claimed that he was 'insulted all night' by rival supporters, while referring to racism in his post-match press conference. 

And UEFA on Tuesday confirmed Simeone would be banned from the touchline for one match for unsportsmanlike behaviour following the unsavoury scenes at the end of the game.

Diego Simeone clashed with Liverpool fans after Virgil van Dijk's late winner against Atletico Madrid

Liverpool have also been sanctioned, receiving a €4,000 (£3,500) fine for 'throwing of objects'.

Simeone said after the match: 'Let's talk about what refers to me. We are in a place where we don't have a right to reply or react, do we? It's never very good when we react as managers, is it? We are the people on the stage out there and need to behave well.

'But if there are comments against racism or insults, we can get angry and fight back as well. Managers, from the place that we are, get insulted all of the game.

'When they scored the third goal, he turned around and insulted me, when I turned around, I am a person and I'm human.

'I'm not going to get into the exact nature of the insults. I don't want to get involved with that, I don't want that discussion. I have got to stay in my place.

'I know what went on behind the manager's bench. I can't solve society's problems in one press conference. I've got to live with it.'

When asked to expand on his mention of racism, Simeone walked out of the press conference.

Poulter then hit out at Simeone, before giving his own version of events.

The Liverpool fan who sent Simeone into meltdown later identified himself as Jonny Poulter

'Something I want to get off my chest here, with regards to what happened last night with Mr Simeone and I think he's a bit of a coward,' he said in a video posted on X.

'When he went in and done his press conference after the game, the Spanish media asked him what was said, if it was racist, if it was regarding the Falklands War or all this rubbish.

'There was nothing racist said by me or anyone else, there was never a mention of the Falklands War by me or anyone else, but the fact that he was asked it and didn't answer the question and he just got up and walked out has left it open for speculation to the world.

'I've had messages on every platform I don't know how many of people asking what did you say? I didn't say anything apart from "waheeyyy f*** off we won" basically, as you do.

'But that's what he done to us. When they scored the equaliser his assistant manager was giving it in front of us and obviously he was being called a s***house and whatever else. And yeah, his assistant manager who came over and spat at me, yeah...'

Stewards and members of the crowd jostled with the Argentine as he sought to confront the home supporter, revealing in the aftermath that he reached breaking point.

Poulter revealed himself as the fan involved with a post in the early hours of the following morning which read: 'Do i get the assist?'

UEFA are also looking into allegations an Atletico Madrid staff member spat at Liverpool fans during the melee.

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