WATCH: Diego Simeone involved in altercation with ex-Atletico Madrid Sporting Director

WATCH: Diego Simeone involved in altercation with ex-Atletico Madrid Sporting Director

While Atletico Madrid were largely gracious in defeat to Arsenal in their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night, there were a couple of incidents that threatened that adjective. Diego Simeone may argue that it was one of Arsenal’s staff members that crossed the line in the dying stages.

As the clock ticked down in stoppage time, the tense Simeone caught view of a particularly demonstrative Arsenal staff member. It turned out to be none other than Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s Sporting Director, who had come down to the pitch, and was seen gesticulating widly for the referee to blow the full-time whistle.

Simeone and Berta separated during closing stages

Simeone, upon seeing him, made a B-line for the Italian, and the shoved him. The two had to then be separated by other staff members and the fourth official, with the Argentine picking up a booking in the process. He then protested that he was simply telling him to leave the area. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also picked up a yellow card during stoppage time for his hyperactivity during the closing stages.

Berta spent eight years at Atletico Madrid

A layer of intrigue is added to the incident by the fact the pair were long-term colleagues. Berta spent eight years at Atletico Madrid, working alongside Simeone at the Metropolitano. He only left 18 months, joining Arsenal shortly afterwards.

During their time together at the club, there were plenty of rumblings that they did not always see eye-to-eye on players and recruitment, most notably when it came to the club’s record transfer, . Berta was usurped in the hierarchy by Director of Football Carlos Bucero. Since, Mateu Alemany has come in as sporting director, and is believed to be wielding the power, with Simeone, when it comes to signings.