Before we call for the expulsion of Atletico Madrid from Europe, or cast their coach Diego Simeone as the new child catcher in a remake of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang , perhaps English football should put its own house in order.
Seldom, if ever, has a major quarter-final degenerated into a more hideous spectacle than the last rites of Manchester City's goalless draw in the Champions League at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night. The rolling maul, started by Felipe's cynical 'follow-through' on Phil Foden, and afters in the tunnel were all part of the script.
If Atletico were going to go out of the competition, they were always going to go down exhibiting the full plumage of dark arts. You wouldn't cross the road to watch them play when the ball becomes an irrelevant prop and settling scores becomes the only motivation.
