The Unión de Peñas, representing Atlético Madrid's fan groups, has issued a strong public statement urging the club to take a more confrontational approach in response to what they describe as systemic "abuses" by UEFA. The call to action follows the team's recent Champions League semi-final second-leg match against Arsenal, which ended in controversy and frustration for the Rojiblancos.
Central to the supporters' grievance is the performance of referee Daniel Siebert during the decisive match. The union claims the German official overlooked at least three penalty appeals for Atlético, with two of them being particularly clear-cut incidents that they believe should have been awarded. This perceived failure to apply the rules consistently has fueled the fans' sense of injustice.
Beyond the penalty claims, the statement highlights another point of contention: the referee's alleged tolerance of Arsenal's time-wasting tactics. The union argues that Siebert was overly permissive with the English side's repeated delays in the latter stages of the match, which disrupted Atlético's rhythm and momentum during a critical phase of the game.
The Unión de Peñas is not merely venting frustration; they are explicitly requesting a change in the club's official posture. They want Atlético de Madrid to adopt a "beligerante" or combative attitude when dealing with UEFA, moving from a position of complaint to one of active resistance against what they perceive as unfair treatment on the European stage.
This public pressure from the organized fan base comes at a sensitive time for the club, following a high-stakes European exit. The supporters' message is clear: they expect the institution to defend its interests more vigorously and to challenge the governing body's decisions and oversight more forcefully in the future.
The incident underscores the deep emotional investment of Atlético's fan community and their desire for the club to be a more assertive advocate for itself within the complex politics of European football governance. Their statement frames the refereeing performance not as an isolated error, but as part of a broader pattern of disadvantage.
Based on reporting from Fútbol.
