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Cape Town - Saturday's Champions League Final turned nasty when Atletico Madrid coach, Diego Simeone, confronted Real defender, Raphael Varane, after Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home his side's fourth goal from the penalty spot in extra time.
Simeone's reaction has landed him in the soup and according to the Mirror, he now faces a lengthy touchline ban for the whole of next season's Champions League group phase.
The Argentinian had confronted Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers for allowing too many additional minutes, both at the end of normal time and the first half of the extra half-hour.
But it was Simeone’s reaction to Varane that landed him in trouble.
Angered by Varane simply kicking the ball in his direction, Simeone raced off the bench and 60 yards across the pitch.
A cowering Varane, fearful for his safety, ran away, protected by his team-mates who saw the malice in Simeone’s eyes.
Even after he was sent to the stands by Kuipers, Simeone turned back to tell Varane: “I’ll see you in the tunnel.”
UEFA disciplinary chiefs will study Kuipers’ report – as well as that of the match delegate – but the extent of Simeone’s explosion will bring a hefty punishment.
Simeone attempted to justfy his conduct by insisting: “He shouldn’t have done that and it upset me. He’s not big enough to do something like that to me.
“I was angry although maybe I overreacted.”
Simeone’s skipper Gabi added: “You have to know how to win and Varane did not show that.
“He is young but should not have behaved like that towards us. It was an ugly gesture.”
Simeone's reaction has landed him in the soup and according to the Mirror, he now faces a lengthy touchline ban for the whole of next season's Champions League group phase.
The Argentinian had confronted Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers for allowing too many additional minutes, both at the end of normal time and the first half of the extra half-hour.
But it was Simeone’s reaction to Varane that landed him in trouble.
Angered by Varane simply kicking the ball in his direction, Simeone raced off the bench and 60 yards across the pitch.
A cowering Varane, fearful for his safety, ran away, protected by his team-mates who saw the malice in Simeone’s eyes.
Even after he was sent to the stands by Kuipers, Simeone turned back to tell Varane: “I’ll see you in the tunnel.”
UEFA disciplinary chiefs will study Kuipers’ report – as well as that of the match delegate – but the extent of Simeone’s explosion will bring a hefty punishment.
Simeone attempted to justfy his conduct by insisting: “He shouldn’t have done that and it upset me. He’s not big enough to do something like that to me.
“I was angry although maybe I overreacted.”
Simeone’s skipper Gabi added: “You have to know how to win and Varane did not show that.
“He is young but should not have behaved like that towards us. It was an ugly gesture.”
