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Diego Simeone confronts Ben White down tunnel; Declan Rice angry at Arsenal VAR controversy

Diego Simeone confronts Ben White down the tunnel, and Declan Rice was angry at Arsenal VAR controversy during the 1-1 draw with Atletico.

The Champions League semi final 1st leg saw Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal ahead with a spot kick just before half time, before Julian Alvarez levelled with his penalty after a Ben White handball on the 54th minute.

Antoine Griezmann also had an effort come back off the crossbar, while Eberechi Eze saw a penalty decision overturned by VAR.

On his way to the tunnel, Arsenal’s Ben White walked across the club’s badge, with Diego Simeone immediately calling him out.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports: “Speaking to the boys and understanding the penalty incident for the second goal getting overturned. It was against the rules and I don’t understand it. Very upset. There is clear contact; he makes the decision and you can’t overturn it when you have to watch it 13 times.

Was the referee influenced? “I don’t know. That’s an answer for him. It’s the wrong decisions and it changes the course of the tie.

On Atletico’s penalty: “It is a rule and they have been quite consistent with that. I have nothing to say on that. The one I have to say is the penalty.

“There are a lot of positives. A lot of very good things that we did. We knew we would have tough moments. Their home record is once again.

“We are in an incredible position. We have to play in front of our people. It is in our hands.

On playing Fulham on Saturday: “Make sure they eat, sleep and get a lot of love to make sure they are in the best position.”

Arteta on the incidents: “In the manner that we conceded the penalty, we were disappointed. In the Premier League, it’s not a penalty, but here I have to accept that this is handball.

“But what I’m incredibly fuming with is how the hell the penalty on Eze gets overturned in the manner that it happened when there is no clear and obvious error? And this changes the course of the game. And at this level, I’m sorry but this cannot happen.

“When a referee has to watch it 13 times, what is clear about that? It’s impossible and we are all fuming about it. We need to apply the rules.

“We need to apply the rules. They applied the rules on Ben’s penalty. That is difficult to accept but it is a penalty with a handball, and what they said at the beginning of the season. Yes, it’s a clear and very obvious penalty.

“When you have fought so hard for nine months to be in this position, that goal could have completely changed the course of the tie. And it cannot happen. I’m sorry. We put so much on it. So, so, so much on it. This cannot happen.”

On if he would raise the matter with UEFA: “I think that it’s up to the club to decide the best thing to do. Now they’re not going to give us a penalty. That’s gone. And that’s it. That’s over.”

Declan Rice told Stan Sport: “UEFA (Champions League) is totally different, I think. In both boxes you have to be so careful because they give absolutely everything.

“The second one, Ebs’ one, it’s a clear penalty. I don’t know how that’s not been given. I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the ref’s mind. But it doesn’t matter, we move on to next week and we want to beat them at home.”

On the second VAR intervention, with Ben White judged to have handled Marcos Llorente’s volley: “I’ve not seen it back yet.

“At first glance I thought that maybe if it’s in the Premier League it doesn’t get given because it’s so low to the ground.

“The ball’s not going on target. But then UEFA (matches) are totally different rules…hands away from the body. I think with UEFA they give it but Premier League, I’m not so sure.”

On why he believed the rules differed: “It’s just the way it’s operated, I think. I feel like they penalise you more in European competitions.

“I’ve felt that since I played in the Champions League three years ago. Referees are really quick to make decisions, to blow their whistle. You can’t do much about it. You’ve just got to watch out and be careful.”

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokores said to TNT Sports, as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “I think in the first half we controlled the game quite well. We had a few good opportunities and managed to score. In the second half they started much better and managed to get a goal and then towards the end we had a few okay chances. Overall it was a tough game, it’s a tough place to come but it’s only half time.

“I didn’t see either of the penalties so it’s difficult to say but that’s football. I don’t know why they turned the second penalty down (on Eze), it looks like contact but it’s the referee’s decision.

“It was not easy once they scored, they have the crowd here. We tried to play and get that momentum back that we had in the first half, towards the end we did but it was a tough second half.

“We know when we play at home with our fans it’s going to be different. We just have to do our job and be at our best.”

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone in his press conference, as per Sky Sports:

“I never give my opinion on my colleague’s statement.

“In terms of their first penalty, in my humble opinion, the player feels contact on his back and he drops down.

“In the Champions League semi-finals, this cannot be a penalty, but the referee believed it was.

“The second one was not a penalty. Sometimes the VAR plays in your favour and sometimes it doesn’t.”

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak speaking to TNT Sports: “It was an intense game from both sides. Both sides were looking for a win but I think we had a good game but at 1-1, there’s a lot to decide in London next week.

“There’s always relief when a penalty is overturned, I hope I would have stopped it anyway. It was the referee’s decision to change it and we agree with him.

“I was close to stopping the first penalty but it was just the power. He hit it with maximum power but it’s in the past. We need to focus firstly on the weekend and then to London.

“We will not think about the previous game where we lost 4-0 there. I believe it will be a different game and we will do everything to get a good result and get to the final.

“We don’t think about lifting the trophy, first we need to work on the pitch in the second leg. Arsenal want to win the Champions League as well so we need to pass them first.”

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