Overview
- Diego Simeone issued the apology on Monday ahead of Atlético’s Copa del Rey tie at Deportivo La Coruña, saying he accepted he was wrong.
- Simeone added, “I apologise, but I do not ask for forgiveness,” when pressed on whether his conduct had crossed a line.
- Television images, reported via Movistar, showed Simeone repeatedly telling Vinícius that Florentino Pérez would “get rid” of him and gesturing to the crowd during the player’s substitution.
- Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso publicly condemned the conduct as crossing a line of respect and not an example of good sportsmanship.
- The incident occurred in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal in Jeddah that Real Madrid won 2-1 before losing the final 3-2 to Barcelona, and no disciplinary measures have been reported.