Diego Simeone has been suspended for one match by UEFA after being sent off during Atletico Madrid's Champions League loss to Liverpool at Anfield. The Argentine manager was dismissed following a confrontation with home supporters after Virgil van Dijk's late header secured a 3-2 win for the Reds.
UEFA charged Simeone with unsportsmanlike conduct, resulting in a one-game ban. He will miss Atletico's next European fixture away to Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday evening. Liverpool, meanwhile, were fined £4,000 for their part in the incident.
Speaking after the match, Simeone admitted his reaction was “unjustifiable” but claimed he had been subjected to insults throughout the 90 minutes. “They insult you throughout the entire match and you can't say anything because you're the manager,” he said. “My reaction was unjustifiable, but do you know what it's like to be insulted for 90 minutes?”
The 54-year-old also revealed that the referee expressed understanding for his frustration, and urged Liverpool to identify and take action against the individuals responsible for the abuse. “I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences,” he added.
Liverpool advance to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg on 14 April.
