Ben White involved in tunnel altercation after Arsenal’s Champions League match
Ben White was involved in a heated confrontation with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and his son Guiliano following Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final first leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred as White walked across the Atletico crest embedded in the tunnel floor at full-time, a move considered disrespectful in European football. Video footage showed Simeone delivering a forceful pat on White’s back, which the Arsenal defender clearly took exception to, leading to a verbal exchange before teammates intervened to defuse the situation.
White’s evening was challenging beyond the tunnel altercation; he conceded a penalty when the ball struck his leg before making contact with his arm—a decision unlikely to be given in domestic competitions. Under Champions League regulations, this handball was penalised in line with precedents set in the PSG versus Bayern Munich fixture earlier in the season.
Arsenal also felt hard done by when a potential second penalty for a challenge on Eberechi Eze was overturned after the referee reviewed the incident. Mikel Arteta expressed his anger over this decision, stating, “I am very upset, it’s unacceptable!” Despite the contentious officiating, the draw leaves the tie finely balanced heading into the second leg, with both teams still vying for a place in the final.
As the stakes rise in the next match at the Emirates Stadium, the incident serves as a reminder of how tensions can boil over in high-pressure situations, further electrifying an already intense rivalry.
