SIMEONE RILED BY ABUSIVE FANS

Red-carded coach 'insulted for 90min', wants action taken against supporters

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Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone called for coaches to be offered more protection from supporter abuse after being sent off for a furious reaction towards Liverpool fans at Anfield on Sept 17.

The 55-year-old confronted supporters behind his dugout after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk headed in a 92nd-minute winner as the Reds edged out a dramatic Champions League opener 3-2.

Atletico's combustible coach admitted he should not have reacted but said coaches should also benefit from similar campaigns aimed at driving racism out of football.

"In the same way we fight against racism, we should look at this too because we don't have a right to respond and it is not easy to be insulted during the entire match," said Simeone.

"My reaction isn't justifiable, but do you know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes?

"I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences.