Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Atletico Madrid player appears to 'spit' at Kyle Walker in new brawl footage

mirror.co.uk, 14 April 2022, 11:29
An ugly brawl between Atletico Madrid and Manchester City unfolded at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Spain on Wednesday evening after their Champions League tie

Atletico Madrid defender Sime Vrsaljko could find himself in hot water after footage appeared to show him spitting at Manchester City defender Kyle Walker in the aftermath of Wednesday evening's Champions League clash.

City's game against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium descended into chaos shortly before full-time when the Felipe kicked out at Phil Foden. The Brazilian defender was shown a second yellow card for his offence and further bans are expected.

Atletico defender Stefan Savic, who was part of City's squad when they won the Premier League in 2011-12, tried to drag the injured Foden off the ground, headbutted Raheem Sterling and grabbed Jack Grealish's hair after an x-rated comment from the City star.

Incredibly, Savic wasn't dismissed for his actions but is likely to face a UEFA punishment. City went on to win the tie 1-0 on aggregate following the goalless draw in Madrid, yet the drama didn't end there - as a brawl between the two teams unfolded in the tunnel.

As he rowed with several members of the opposition, Vrsaljko launched what appeared to be a pair of goalkeeping gloves in Walker's direction. The object hit a member of City's entourage.

A few seconds later, Vrsaljko shrugged off those holding him back and made a beeline for the City party. He was briefly held back by an Atletico colleague before appearing to make a spitting motion towards a member of City's team.

Should Atletico Madrid be punished for their actions? Let us know in the comments below!

It's unclear if Vrsaljko actually spat due to the quality of the video footage. And, if he did spit, it's unclear who he was aiming at. Yet Walker's animated reaction suggests he wasn't best pleased with Vrsaljko's actions, as he was held back by Ederson. No formal accusations have yet been made against Vrsaljko.

Police were then forced to get involved to separate the two teams. Speaking to CBS Sports, reporter Guillem Balague - who was in the tunnel when the drama unfolded - said he "thinks" Vrsaljko spat but couldn't confirm for sure.

"It was first Savic exchanging words with Grealish," said Balague. "And then Vrsaljko going absolutely mental and throwing things around and I think even spitting. We're not sure exactly [who it was] against. Walker was there at the other side."

When asked about Atletico's behaviour on Wednesday evening, Rio Ferdinand said: "Some distasteful behaviour I thought we witnessed there from some of the Atletico players. They should be embarrassed with some of the antics, Savic especially.

"You have to say well done to the way they've played to be fair, Atletico. They made Man City play in a way we haven't seen them play in a long time. Took them out of their rhythm... but some of the stuff towards the end of the game, not what you want to see."

Joleon Lescott added: "The last 10 minutes, [I] can't condone it. To be honest, Simeone's got to take some responsibility because he seemed to encourage some behaviour. It's not a thing you want to see from a top level coach, an elite manager."

Top News

23 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea may forcing themselves into the title race, but Troy Deeney believes a glaring issue 'is going to cost them' down the track. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A former Aston Villa captain is set to become an MLS manager this week. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have lost their fifth consecutive game in all competitions after suffering a chastening 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham wasn't what Pep Guardiola had in mind when it came to celebrating his new Manchester City contract. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Senior figures at Manchester United have allegedly concluded that Joshua Zirkzee 'is not good enough', with the club having 'serious doubts' when it comes to the Netherlands international. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola has made unwanted history after Manchester City fell two goals behind after 20 minutes in their 4-0 defeat to Tottenham. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has hinted that Marcus Rashford will have an important role to play under him, with the Portuguese insisting that the attacker can play in all three positions in the final third of the field. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City's clash with Tottenham kicked off late after Rodri's Ballon d'Or presentation. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly made contact with legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo to discuss a possible move for the Al-Nassr star next year. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A frustrated Leicester City boss Steve Cooper confirmed he will write to the PGMOL after his side's 2-1 loss to Chelsea. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to make it successive victories in La Liga when they continue their 2024-25 campaign with a clash against newly-promoted Leganes on Sunday night. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Ethan Nwaneri became Arsenal's second youngest goalscorer in the Premier League in a dominant 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Joao Pedro was the star of the show as ten-man Brighton & Hove Albion recorded a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in Saturday's Premier League contest at the Vitality Stadium. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace in Saturday afternoon's pulsating Premier League contest at Villa Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal snapped their four-game Premier League winless streak in Mikel Arteta's 250th match in charge of the club as they earned a comfortable 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford picked up their first Premier League away point of the season at the sixth attempt as the 10-man Bees held a wasteful Everton to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has explained how he wants Enzo Fernandez to adapt his game to fit seamlessly into his preferred system. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a total of three changes to his starting lineup for this evening's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Portsmouth's trip to Blackburn was postponed less than four hours before kick-off on Saturday. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic was sent off after grabbing the throat of Coventry City forward Norman Bassette. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Ajax defender Devyne Rensch next summer, with the Netherlands international potentially being available on a free transfer. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has reportedly agreed to sign a new long-term deal when he turns 18 next year. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that the club will not make any firm plans when it comes to the January transfer window until after their clash with Sevilla on December 22. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Fernandez marked his return to the starting XI with a goal and an assist as Chelsea ran out deserved 2-1 winners over Leicester City in Saturday lunchtime's Premier League kickoff at the King Power Stadium. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Mikel Arteta left Arsenal fans confused with a much-changed starting XI to face Nottingham Forest. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has insisted Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham are best served to stay put for the time being despite being linked with moves away from the club. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has lavished praise on Mason Mount and suggested that the Englishman will be an important player for him at Old Trafford. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Mary's is the venue for Sunday's meeting between the Premier League's leaders and basement boys, as Liverpool take on 20th-placed Southampton in a 2pm kickoff. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Philippe Senderos played against countless Premier League legends, but one stands out as the toughest. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Philippe Senderos played against countless Premier League legends, but one stands out as the toughest.