Simeone ‘regret’ as ‘insults’ spark clash with Liverpool fans

Diego Simeone, manager of Atletico Madrid, says the incident occurred after Liverpool’s dramatic Champions League opener at Anfield, but that it was caused by “insults.”

Simeone reacted after Virgil van Dijk, the Reds’ skipper, appeared to be stung by a small group of home fans after scoring a 92nd-minute winner in a 3-2 victory.

The Argentine complained to the fourth official about the number of stewards blocking him from the Liverpool supporters.

Before being sent off and walking down the tunnel, Simeone had to be dragged away from the scene and continued to protest.

Simeone was unfavorable about the home fans’ “insults for the entire game.”

He continued, “We [managers] are in a position where we are protagonists/standard bearers, so we could fight racism and insults on behalf of the managers and against the insults we receive throughout the entire game.”

Being in this position and getting insults the entire game is not easy. After the third goal, I watched it from a far away place. The insults continued after the third goal went in, and I turned, but I still have a personality.

When asked what kind of insults were they, he responded, “The truth is, I can’t remember exactly. I’m not interested in the circumstance.

“It’s important for me to keep my position,” I say. I have to be able to withstand everything that occurs inside the dugout, and I am aware that society cannot be fixed. Because it occurs frequently, I and whichever manager have to deal with it.

My response isn’t justified, but do you know how insulting it is for 90 minutes? I’m hoping Liverpool can improve on that aspect and that any consequences will follow if they learn who did it.

After Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah scored twice in the opening six minutes of a frantic game, Liverpool responded with a retaliation.