Ben White and Diego Simeone involved in clash after walking over Atletico Madrid badge
It is considered disrespectful in Spain to step on club badges near the side of the pitch
Arsenal ’s Ben White was involved in a tunnel altercation with Diego Simeone after appearing to anger Atletico Madrid players by walking over their club badge by the side of the Metropolitano pitch. The Arsenal defender was approached by Giuliano Simeone, the Atletico winger and Simeone’s son, who pointed to the giant crest White had walked over as he went down the tunnel. BEN WHITE STEPS ON ATLETI CREST AND SIMEONE REACTS 🚨🚨 On his way to the tunnel, the Arsenal defender accidentally stepped on the club’s badge, and Simeone immediately called him out 🗣️ Was it disrespectful or just a mistake?
🤔 #BenWhite #AtleticoMadrid #Arsenal #UCL pic. twitter. com/9lzBQpGIkZ — MARCA in English 🇺🇸 (@MARCAinENGLISH) April 29, 2026 Footage shared by Marca shows the pair then exchanged words before Diego Simeone pulled Giuliano back.
But White then responded to the Atletico manager and tempers were high as they went down the tunnel and disappeared from view, with members of staff from both teams intervening. In Spain, it is considered disrespectful to step on club badges and many players take a deliberate attempt to avoid walking on them, even if they are take up a significant amount of space near the tunnel area. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, for example, made an effort to avoid walking over Manchester City’s badge while walking out from the tunnel before a Champions League match at the Etihad a couple of seasons ago.
Bellingham made sure to avoid walking on the Manchester City badge. Respect 👏🏽 pic. twitter.