Liverpool’s late, stoppage time winner against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening in a game in which the Reds dominated their Spanish opponents at Anfield and were unfortunate to need a late, stoppage time winner was a moment of celebration and catharsis for Liverpool’s players, staff, and supporters.
Less so for Atletico Madrid, who until the 92nd minute had believed they would escape with a draw, and for manager Diego Simeone, who was involved in a screaming match with fans following the goal. The big post-match story, though, isn’t Simeone. Rather, it’s an Atleti assistant who followed his manager into to fray and was caught on camera spitting at Liverpool fans.
According to widespread reports today, including from The Times, this will result in a UEFA investigation and potential punishment.
It’s not clear exactly what was said to set off the notoriously high-tempered Argentine manager, though post-match questions about whether it was anything that might be considered racist or specific needle that might set off an Argentine—such as, for example, bringing up the Falklands—were quickly shot down.
While it seems at the moment, then, as though the Liverpool fan abuse that so incensed Simeone and his staff may not rise above the level of middle fingers, it does appear fairly clear from the video that an Atleti staffer in a team jacket did indeed spit into the crowd.
Certainly it is true that fan behaviour can at times cross the line, tipping over into unacceptable territory, and if it emerges that Liverpool fans did cross any lines they will deserve their punishment. Team staff caught on video spitting at fans, though, is not a situation that would seem to involve a lot of ifs and maybes, even at this stage.
Wherever one chooses to draw lines for acceptable behaviour at sporting events, it’s well over, and based on the available video it does appear that Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and at least one of his staff members chose to cross those lines Wednesday.