In a fiery reaction following Atlético de Madrid’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League, Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida has launched a scathing attack on UEFA, claiming the club faced biased officiating rather than just Arsenal in the semi-final tie.
The outspoken Atlético supporter, who has been vocal in his support for the club, accused European football’s governing body of having a “predetermined intention” to harm the Rojiblancos. After Arsenal progressed to the final with a 2-1 aggregate victory (1-1 first leg, 1-0 second leg win thanks to Bukayo Saka’s goal), Almeida didn’t hold back.
“When I saw the draw, I thought we had got Arsenal but I was wrong, we got UEFA. UEFA made it clear they did not want Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League final,” the mayor stated.
Controversy swirled around referee Daniel Siebert’s decisions in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium, particularly the denial of a potential penalty for Atlético. Fans and pundits debated key calls, fueling accusations of inconsistent officiating that ultimately tipped the balance in Arsenal’s favor.
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Atlético, under Diego Simeone, had shown their trademark resilience by overcoming Barcelona in the previous round. Their exit has sparked widespread debate about refereeing standards, VAR usage, and perceived biases in high-stakes European matches. Simeone and the club have emphasized “no excuses,” focusing instead on their performance.
Almeida’s comments reflect the deep passion of Atlético supporters and the intense rivalry in Madrid’s football landscape. As a known Colchonero, his strong words have resonated with fans frustrated by the outcome.
This latest controversy highlights ongoing discussions about fairness in UEFA competitions. With Arsenal advancing to face the winner of Bayern Munich vs PSG in the final, Atlético will now redirect focus to La Liga and domestic challenges.
Will UEFA respond to the growing criticism? Football fans worldwide are watching closely as questions about officiating integrity continue to dominate conversations around the beautiful game.