Pundits and former players accused Diego Simeone of pressuring referee Danny Makkelie into overturning Eberechi Eze’s penalty by shouting, waving his arms and positioning himself in the official’s eyesight during the VAR check.
Diego Simeone was seen leaving his technical area to protest loudly at the referee while VAR was being checked, before the decision eventually went against Arsenal and the penalty was overturned 👀
— Arsenal Radar (@ArsenalRadar) April 29, 2026
🎥 @laythy29 #ucl pic.twitter.com/NY7qUxnYWr
The controversy over Arsenal’s overturned penalty in the 1‑1 draw at Atletico Madrid has a new focus: Diego Simeone’s touchline behaviour. As referee Danny Makkelie reviewed the Eberechi Eze incident, the Atletico boss was spotted approaching the monitor and shouting, clearly urging the official to reverse his decision.
Martin Keown claimed the referee “buckled under the pressure, went to the screen and didn’t stand by his decision”. Steven Gerrard added: “Simeone, I think he played a big part. From a coaching point of view, his behaviour there, he was in the referee’s eyesight coming over”. Steve McManaman branded the Argentine’s actions “atrocious”, saying: “I guarantee if that was in the opposite box, Simeone would be going apoplectic for the penalty”.
Makkelie watched 13 replays before ruling no foul had been committed. Pundits unanimously felt the original decision should have stood, with McManaman noting it was “not a clear and obvious error” to overturn