Giuliano Simeone’s social media protest underscores the controversy surrounding officiating in Atletico Madrid’s Champions League exit. On May 6, 2026, Atletico Madrid faced Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and lost 2-1 on aggregate.
Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal for Arsenal, sealing Atletico’s fate. During the match, Giuliano Simeone protested two penalty appeals he believed were valid. He shared screenshots on Instagram showing incidents he felt warranted penalties.
The referee did not award penalties for the incidents involving Giuliano and teammate Antoine Griezmann. After the match, Diego Simeone expressed disappointment over the referee’s decisions. He stated, “There’s nothing to say. We are out and we need to congratulate Arsenal.”
Giuliano Simeone described the night as “very sad” and thanked fans for their support. He noted that a collision during his shot destabilized him and affected his execution.
Key incidents:
- Giuliano Simeone protested two penalty appeals during the match.
- Atletico Madrid was eliminated from the Champions League after losing 2-1 on aggregate.
- Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal for Arsenal.
This sequence of events highlights ongoing issues with officiating in high-stakes matches like these. The reactions from players and management reflect a growing frustration with VAR decisions in football.
