Insistence Arsenal vs Atletico referee was let down – Guardia Civil needed for Simeone antics

Dutch referee Danny Makkelie was let down in Arsenal’s clash with Atlético Madrid, with the Guardia Civil needed to keep Diego Simeone quiet on the sidelines.

That’s according to former Dutch referee Mario van der Ende. Voetbal Primeur report comments from him today in defence of his colleague.

Perfromance criticised

The Dutch referee has faced considerable criticism following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid on Wednesday evening.

He awarded three penalties in the game, but eventually cancelled out the third after a review from VAR. That saw him sent to the monitor to reassess a foul on Eberechi Eze, which saw him overturn his decision.

The second penalty handed to Atlético Madrid for a handball by Ben White, but again only after a VAR intervention. Both decisions, particularly the Eze one, did not go one down well with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

There was also criticism in the Spanish press. But Van der Ende believes his compatriot was let down by the rest of his team.

“Makkelie is simply positioned incorrectly there, which is why he needs the VAR. Ultimately, I did think it was a justified penalty, because his arm was not close to his body,” he said regarding the second penalty.

Van der Ende also understands Arteta’s criticism regarding the reversal of the penalty for Arsenal.

“Makkelie let himself be overruled by the VAR there, even though it wasn’t clear and obvious. A penalty can be awarded even for light contact, so Makkelie should have just let that penalty stand,” he added.

Simeone antics needed controlling

One of the biggest issues in the game was Diego Simeone’s antics on the sidelines. The Argentine manager was his usual animated self, particularly when Van der Ende went to the monitor to assess the Eze decision.

It led to intense criticism after the game, with some believing that Simeone and his backroom team had influenced the referee’s thinking. Van der Ende again thinks that was nothing to do with Makkelie.

“I also don’t understand why the Dutch number 16 (Dennis Higler) is sitting there as VAR and not the Dutch number 2 (Serdar Gözübüyük),” he concluded.

“Put the best people there too. Gözübüyük was playing policeman on the sidelines with that crazy behaviour from Diego Simeone. You might as well put the Guardia Civil there. Maybe he would listen to them.”