Diego Simeone clashes with Arsenal director in tense end to Champions League semi-final

Diego Simeone was involved in a touchline altercation with Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta in the final moments of a tense Champions League semi-final tie.

Mikel Arteta's side secured a place in the showpiece final thanks to a huge goal from Bukayo Saka, which secured a 1-0 win on Tuesday night and a 2-1 victory on aggregate. Arsenal will face either holders Paris Saint-Germain or old foes Bayern Munich in the final on 30 May in Budapest.

Arsenal showed real grit and determination to hold on in the closing stages of the game, as they matched the physicality and tenacity of an Atletico side known for their mastery of the dark arts. There were huge cheers around the Emirates Stadium for each clearance as the Gunners withheld the late pressure and ran down the clock with real expertise.

There was a flurry of yellow cards deep into added time, with both Simeone and Arteta booked by referee Daniel Siebert, as well as Atletico captain Koke and Arsenal substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

It was the yellow card for Simeone that caught most attention, though. With Arsenal just seconds away from victory, Berta was seen on the touchline gesticulating towards the referee, urging him to blow the full-time whistle. The Arsenal sporting director pointed to an imaginary watch on his wrist and waved his arms in the air to signal that all of the additional time had been played.

This action enraged Simeone, who raced down the touchline and pushed Berta back towards the tunnel. The fourth official hurried over to try and difuse the situation, while members of the opposing benches weighed in to try to calm the incident down.

Berta and Simeone have history

To add another twist to the tale, Berta was a close friend of Simeone during their spell 12-year spell together at Atletico Madrid. The Italian joined the La Liga club as a technical director in 2013 and was promoted to the position of sporting director four years later.

Berta was named Best Sporting Director of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards in 2019 and helped Simeone win two La Liga titles, the Europa League, the Uefa Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, before he joined Arsenal last summer.

Simeone and Berta never managed to win the Champions League together, losing finals against fierce rivals Real Madrid in both 2014 and 2016. He hopes to get one over his old companion when Arsenal go in search of their first Champions League title at the end of the month.