‘Arteta insulted my family’ — Porto coach Sergio Conceicao fumes after defeat to Arsenal

Tempers flared at the Emirates Stadium following Arsenal's dramatic victory over Porto, as Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao levelled serious accusations against Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.

Allegations of insult and misconduct marred the post-match atmosphere as Conceicao claimed that Arteta had directed offensive remarks towards him during the game.

Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of the match, Sergio Conceicao expressed his frustration, stating, “Arteta turned to the bench during the game and insulted my family in Spanish. I told him that the person he insulted is no longer among us.”

This is not the first time that Sergio Conceicao has accused an opponent of insulting him in the heat of competition.

Similar accusations surfaced in 2021 when Porto faced Chelsea in the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel, hinting at a pattern of behavior from the Portuguese manager.

In response to Conceicao's claims, Arsenal club sources swiftly denied any wrongdoing on the part of Mikel Arteta. While tensions ran high during the match, Arsenal refuted the allegations of offensive language, maintaining their stance on professionalism and respect.

Amidst the controversy surrounding the verbal altercation, both clubs must now shift their focus back to matters on the pitch. With Arsenal securing their first aggregate win in the Champions League knockout stages in 14 years, and Porto grappling with the disappointment of defeat, the aftermath of the match serves as a reminder of the emotions that fuel elite football competition.