Atletico Madrid have doubled down on their refusal to give rivals Real Madrid a guard of honour ahead of kick-off in Sunday's derby.
Carlo Ancelotti 's team make the cross-city trip to the Wanda Metropolitano this weekend after wrapping up the LaLiga title in emphatic fashion last Saturday. Los Blancos, who face Manchester City for a place in the Champions League final on Wednesday, beat Esapnyol 4-0 to reclaim the Spanish crown from Atletico, who were the reigning champions.
Unlike in the Premier League, however, Diego Simeone and Co. will not honour Real for their achievement with a pre-match guard of honour. Defender Jose Gimenez told reporters after their 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday: "A guard of honour to Real Madrid? We congratulate them, but we have a lot of respect for our fans."
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak echoed Gimenez's comments but admitted his team would follow whatever protocol their club decided. "As captain I'm one of those who doesn't like to give or receive the guard of honour," Oblak declared. "The club will decide and we'll do whatever is necessary."
Now the former champions, who notably gave Barcelona special treatment in 2013, have officially weighed in on the debate and were quoted by Marca explaining their reasoning for not taking part in "this mockery attempt". Atletico said: "Some want to turn what was born as a gesture of recognition of the champion into a public toll that must be paid by their rivals, also impregnated with the aroma of humiliation.
"Under no circumstances will Atletico Madrid collaborate in this attempt at derision in which the true values of the sport are completely forgotten and tension and confrontation between fans are encouraged.
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"We have starred in several similar situations in recent years after winning different titles, including two Leagues, and on some occasions there was some kind of tribute by the rival team to our champion team and at other times there was not, but never generated an expectation or a controversy as exaggerated and artificial as the one we have been experiencing in recent weeks.
"Atleti is the last league champion. Does anyone remember any controversy about whether he should receive a corridor from his first rival after winning the title? No, because there was no debate.
"In the first game of this season Celta Vigo decided not to make a corridor and it was a correct decision, because they are gestures that must be made to be applauded by the public and therefore it makes perfect sense to be made in front of the champion's fans. The goal cannot be to create tension and thin the environment.
"We received the corridor in the first game we played at home, from Elche. Naturally, grateful and, obviously, without any demands. It is just as important to know how to lose as it is to know how to win. From Atleti we do not intend to impose anything on others. It is clear that we have another way of understanding life."
