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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Tunnel footage shows Man City and Atletico Madrid players clashing after Champions League tie

Footage from the tunnel at the Wanda Metropolitano has shown the extent of the chaotic scenes following Manchester City's dramatic Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

City have booked themselves into the semi-finals of the competition after a hard-fought 0-0 draw in the Spanish capital saw them advance 1-0 on aggregate following their victory in Manchester last week. However, the game descended into anarchy in the closing stages which then spilt over into the tunnel following the final whistle.

A brawl was sparked in the 90th minute after Atletico's Felipe lashed out at Phil Foden, who was sporting a bandaged head following an ugly challenge from the defender in the first half, after the midfielder had leapt over his tackle. Stefan Savic then stormed over and attempted to drag Foden back onto the pitch which prompted both sets of players, substitutes and members to also get involved.

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Former City man Savic was at the heart of it all as he also appeared to headbutt Raheem Sterling and then tugged at Jack Grealish's hair after the playmaker had some choice words for him. Felipe was dismissed for his involvement but Savic somehow escaped with only a booking.

City managed to hold on for the nine minutes of injury time but emotions remained high after the final whistle and reports emerged that Grealish and Savic were involved in another altercation as they left the field.

A bib is thrown at City players (RMC Sport)

Footage from the tunnel via TV channel RMC Sport has shown how tempers flared. Savic and Grealish had to be separated as Ruben Dias led his teammate away but then as another cluster of players walked down the tunnel there were yet more comings together.

Substitute Sime Vrsaljko appeared to throw a bib in the direction of several City players, hitting Aymeric Laporte, and then had to be restrained as he attempted to approach the Blues stars. With Ederson and youngster Romeo Lavia dragging Kyle Walker away from the trouble. Police can then be seen entering the tunnel and dispelling the players.

Police disperse the players (RMC Sport)

BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher reported from the stadium: "Grealish was walking down the tunnel and Stefan Savic caught up with him. All of a sudden there was a commotion at the mouth of the tunnel and people just ran to that area. The two players disappeared from my view but very quickly after four police officers came charging to that area as well.

"I couldn’t tell you exactly what happened, but Savic was involved again. Grealish was trying to leave the field and it was another very unsavoury incident here. Symptomatic of what we’ve seen over the last 15 minutes."

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