Ben White and Diego Simeone got together at the end » Unbelievable where the scandal started!
Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published on Thursday, 30 April 2026, 08:32 / Updated on Thursday, 30 April 2026 08:33
At the end of the match Atletico Madrid – Arsenal (1-1), counting for the first leg of the League semifinals, there were incidents involving the “gunner” Ben Whiteon his coach AtleticoDiego Simeone, and his son, Giuliano.
As the players made their way to the locker room, Ben White and Giuliano were seen having a heated argument. At one point, Diego Simeone intervened between them, conciliator.
He slaps White firmly on the back, but White's reaction is a nervous one and the two are then seen hugging each otheruntil disappearing into the catacombs of the “Metropolitano” arena.
Ben White stepped on Atletico's crest as he left the pitch
The reason for the scandal was revealed later. Giuliano reproached the British defender for stepping on the emblem of the Atletico club, printed in the turf, next to the access corridor from and to the changing rooms, and explained to him that “such a thing is not done”.
VIDEO. The incident between Ben White and Giuliano and Diego Simeone
BEN WHITE STEPS ON ATHLETI CREST AND SIMEONE REACTS 🚨🚨
On his way to the tunnel, the Arsenal defender accidentally stepped on the club's badge, and Simeone immediately called him out 🗣️
Was it disrespectful or just a mistake? 🤔#BenWhite #AtleticoMadrid #Arsenal #UCL pic.twitter.com/9lzBQpGIkZ
— MARCA in English 🇺🇸 (@MARCAinENGLISH) April 29, 2026
“It's become an unwritten rule in football not to step on a club's crest, but perhaps White isn't aware – or chose to ignore it. He admitted that he does not enjoy football or watch matches in his spare time, but sees football only as a job“- journalists from The Sun tried to explain the defender's blunder.
Ben White had caused the penalty from which Atletico equalized
Ben White was tense anyway, after causing the penalty after which the “central” Danny Makkelie, notified by VAR, dictated the penalty against Arsenal (min. 56). Julian Alvarez converted it and thus equalized the score opened by Victor Gyokeres, in the first half, also from the penalty (min. 44).
Arsenal called for another penalty in the 79th minute when Hancko appeared to step on Eze's foot. The Dutch referee at and awarded, initially, but after the intervention of the VAR, he reconsidered his decision.
Specialists disagree
Perez Burrull, Spanish daily Marca's arbitration expert, claims that “Hancko touches Eze, but it's too little for a penalty”. However, former Premier League referee Mark Halsey believes Makkelie should have stood by the original decision.
Referee Danny Makkelie calls the foul in real time and then the VAR recommends a review. Was it a clear and obvious error by the match referee? In my opinion, no. The contact exists. So it's not a clear and obvious error, so why did the VAR get involved again?”, commented Halsey for the British tabloid The Sun.
