UEFA to probe Atletico staffer over spitting incident at Anfield after Simeone outburst

UEFA said Thursday it will open an investigation into an incident in which an Atletico Madrid backroom staff member appeared to spit toward Liverpool supporters during the chaotic ending to the match at Anfield. The incident occurred as Liverpool stole a dramatic 3-2 victory on Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time header, a win that intensified the backdrop of a heated night on the sidelines.

Tempers erupted after the late goal as Diego Simeone directed intense exchanges toward the Liverpool bench and sections of the home crowd. Video footage circulated showing Simeone confronting supporters while stewards intervened. A member of Atletico’s backroom staff—reported in eyewitness accounts to have worn a long club-issue coat—was seen moving away before returning and appearing to spit toward the Liverpool fans. Seven stewards eventually shepherded the Atletico bench away as the incident on the sideline escalated.

The incident also centered on Jonny Poulter, a 30-year-old Liverpool supporter seated behind the opposing dugout, who said the spit was directed at him. Poulter posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) detailing his account, arguing that Simeone’s conduct and the reaction from his staff crossed a line. Liverpool, the match’s host, will be asked to provide relevant footage as part of any disciplinary review, with UEFA noting that it is awaiting official reports from the game before deciding whether to open proceedings.

UEFA’s stance comes as the wider episode unfolds with Poulter’s public assertion that the encounter was not racially motivated, even as Simeone’s reference to racism in the post-match press conference drew attention. After the game, Simeone said that players and managers are frequently the target of insults and that while he has to stay on the “stage,” he cannot ignore provocative taunts or insults. He acknowledged that insults were directed at him and that his reaction was constrained by the setting, adding that he could not “solve society’s problems in one press conference.” He left the press conference without elaborating on the racism remark when pressed further.

Poulter’s account of the incident has been amplified by his social media posts, in which he insisted there were no racist remarks directed at him or anyone else. He described the moment of confrontation as a response to sustained provocation from the Atletico bench as they equalized and then when Liverpool secured the winner. The broader scene at Anfield, including Simeone’s exchange with the crowd and the bench, has prompted scrutiny from fans and officials alike as UEFA reviews the event.

The episode sits within a longer arc of tension involving Poulter himself. The Liverpool Echo reported that Poulter was banned from football for three years following an incident during Steven Gerrard’s final match for the club in 2015. Court records indicated he shouted abuse at David Hingham, who was with his disabled wife, as they attended a banner dispute during the clash with Crystal Palace. Poulter faced an eight-week curfew and was convicted after denying that his behavior amounted to harassment or distress. He later apologized to Hingham and his wife at the following season’s first home game, but the ban remained in effect. The court proceedings highlighted the emotional charge accompanying Gerrard’s farewell and the intense atmosphere surrounding matches at Anfield.

The latest events at Anfield come as Simeone has faced questions about his team’s conduct this season. He defended his actions in the wake of the clash, emphasizing the harshness of the atmosphere around high-stakes European nights and cautioning against extrapolating beyond the immediate incident. The club and UEFA will review the full set of match reports and footage in the coming days to determine whether disciplinary measures are warranted and what further steps may be taken in relation to the actions seen on the sidelines.