Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has issued a public apology to Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior and club president Florentino Perez following a heated touchline altercation during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
Simeone admitted his behaviour “was not appropriate” while stopping short of asking for forgiveness.
The Argentine coach during the match was filmed making a series of provocations towards the Vinicius, reportedly taunting him with claims that the Real Madrid president was planning to offload him in the summer.
However, Simeone while speaking at a press conference ahead of Atletico’s Copa del Rey fixture against Deportivo La Coruna acknowledged he overstepped the mark of professional conduct expected of a manager.
Real Madrid’s coach Xabi Alonso (C-R) shouts at Atletico Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone (3rd-L) during the Spanish Supercup semi-final. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)
“I would like to apologise to Mr Florentino and Mr Vinicius for the incident they witnessed,” Simeone told reporters. “It was wrong of me to put myself in that position, and I accept that it was wrong. The team that wins deserves to go through; they deserved to go through.”
When pressed on whether he regretted his actions to the point of seeking absolution from the player, he remained defiant. “I apologise, but I do not ask for forgiveness. I have nothing more to add,” he stated.
Simeone’s drama with Vinicius started during the second half of Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium.
With tensions running high, Simeone was captured shouting at Vinicius: “Florentino is going to get rid of you, remember. He’s going to get rid of you.”
When Vinicius was substituted in the 81st minute to be replaced by Arda Guler, Simeone and the Brazilian got into a heated exchange on the sidelines, a move that sparked a furious reaction from the Real Madrid bench.
