Diego Simeone was furious after Atletico Madrid’s team bus was attacked by Real Sociedad fans before their Copa del Rey last-16 clash on Wednesday.
As Atletico arrived at the Reale Arena, hundreds of La Real fans lined the street, creating an extremely hostile atmosphere, and things got out of hand as some of them threw objects at the bus, smashing some windows in the process.
In a video captured by a fan, Simeone can be seen furiously gesticulating from inside the team bus while a number of Sociedad fans hurled abuses at him in Spanish.
It PROPER kicked off as Atletico Madrid’s team bus arrived for tonight’s Copa Del Rey game with Real Sociedad. Bloody hell. https://t.co/KQ7o4lIvYU
— Phil Kitromilides (@PhilKitro) January 19, 2022
??| A VERY unwarm welcome for Atlético Madrid at Reale Arena.
The window of the team bus is completely broken to pieces.
– Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 19, 2022
Asked after the match about the incident, Simeone said: “You all saw what happened outside. We were en route, alongside the Real Sociedad fans. I imagine they’re always in that position. Suddenly the [police] protection wasn’t there. You saw that.
“But it didn’t affect the game at all. When the game started I said to [Real Sociedad coach ImanolAlguacil] that it had absolutely nothing to do with him, but he should send my regards to whoever had to prepare, and didn’t prepare, whatever that was.”
Real Sociedad had tweeted on the morning of Wednesday’s game, calling for “respect and tolerance.” Additional reports revealed that in addition to the bus attack, an Atletico Madrid fan suffered a head injury after being hit with a glass.
Los Rojiblancos are not enjoying a particularly impressive season, as Simeone’s men find themselves tied with Real on 33 points, 16 behind current LaLiga leaders, Real Madrid.
