Madrid's mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, didn't hold back after Atlético de Madrid's Champions League exit, firing a blistering critique at UEFA. Following the semifinal loss to Arsenal, Almeida claimed the refereeing was so skewed that his team wasn't just playing against the Gunners—they were up against European football's governing body.

"When I saw the draw, I thought we'd been paired with Arsenal, but I was wrong—we were drawn against UEFA," Almeida said. "UEFA made it clear they didn't want Atlético in the final." The mayor pointed to the appointment of German referee Daniel Seibert as a major red flag, especially with Spain and Germany battling for the fifth Champions League spot. "It's incomprehensible that they chose a German official in that context," he added.

One of the most contentious moments came when a penalty wasn't awarded to Giuliano Simeone. Almeida blasted the lack of broadcast replays showing the offside call, noting that social media later revealed Simeone started from his own half and was clearly onside. "It was a crystal-clear penalty, and they didn't want to admit it," he said.

The mayor also criticized the scant stoppage time added, seeing it as proof the referee wanted the match to end quickly and send Arsenal to Budapest instead of Atlético. For fans feeling the sting of this controversial exit, the frustration is palpable—and Almeida's words capture the sense of injustice that lingers long after the final whistle.