Atletico Madrid has submitted an official complaint to UEFA after their squad encountered a lack of hot water at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium ahead of a crucial Champions League group match.
Atletico Madrid Files Official Complaint Against Arsenal Over Hot Water Issue
The Spanish club held their customary pre-match training session at the London venue on Monday evening.
However, the session was marred by an unexpected problem. Club management reported that no hot water was available for players to use in the showers after their workout.
According to reports, Atletico officials alerted Arsenal to the issue when they arrived for their 6:45 PM session.
The problem remained unresolved by the time the team concluded their training at 7:15 PM.
This forced the entire traveling squad, including manager Diego Simeone, to return to their team hotel without showering at the stadium.
The situation left Atletico’s staff both surprised and angered, prompting them to formally notify European football’s governing body about the incident.
Arsenal later acknowledged the error, confirming that the hot water supply was restored by 7:25 PM, just minutes after the visitors had departed. The Premier League club also issued an apology to Atletico Madrid.
The complaint adds a minor layer of friction before Tuesday’s highly anticipated match.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had previously spoken highly of his counterpart, praising Simeone’s long-term impact and the clear identity he has instilled in the Spanish side.
Both teams are competing at the top of their Champions League group.
Arsenal currently sit joint-first with two wins from two matches, while Atletico Madrid are looking to build momentum after a mixed start to their European campaign.
The hot water issue, while resolved, has certainly made for a frosty build-up to the showdown.
