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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

New tunnel footage shows how Man City and Atletico Madrid brawl began

A video on social media shows how the altercation between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid players started after their Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.

In a badly-tempered game, which had already seen a big coming together between both sets of players following a red-card challenge by Atletico defender Felipe, it was then reported that the players were fighting in the tunnel with police involved.

BT Sport suggested that City substitute Jack Grealish and Atletico defender Stefan Savic were involved, with footage from the tunnel later showing the pair arguing, but not clashing, and then some more altercations involving Sime Vrsaljko. Now, a video taken from the stands shows how the disruption began just outside the entrance to the tunnel.

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It's unclear who took the video, but it clearly shows the players walking down the tunnel, starting with Grealish and Savic in a heated conversation before a member of security and Ruben Dias pull Grealish away.

Their conversation continues from either side of the tunnel, which is captured on the broadcast footage circulating after the game. However, as Vrsaljko then looks to get involved, it appears a member of City's backroom staff and Kyle Walker then give him a little push, sparking more shoving between both sides.

City youngster Romeo Lavia, and unused substitute, and the suspended Gabriel Jesus, then pull Walker away as Aymeric Laporte then walks past, prompting Vrsaljko to try and run up the tunnel to say something to him.

As Vrsaljko is held back, he throws something — possibly a training bib — towards the City players, before the group move out of view down the tunnel. Police can then be seen jogging down the tunnel to the players.

Also on the footage is Kevin De Bruyne, who followed after the commotion moved away and appeared to be limping after his substitution. He was seen on the bench with ice on his ankle, and Pep Guardiola said after the game that he will be assessed before Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool.

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