Bukayo Saka’s tunnel altercation may lead to UEFA ban as the cause of the heated exchange comes to light

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka was confronted by Real Madrid’s injured player Dani Carvajal at half-time during the Champions League quarter-final, which could potentially result in a ban.

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka found himself at the center of controversy during the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. The incident, which occurred at half-time, involved Real Madrid’s injured defender Dani Carvajal and could now result in a UEFA ban for the Spanish veteran.

The altercation reportedly began when Carvajal, sidelined due to an ACL injury and not part of the matchday squad, approached Saka in the tunnel. Carvajal grabbed Saka by the neck, allegedly upset over Saka’s earlier attempt at a Panenka penalty, which was saved by Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The move was perceived by Carvajal as disrespectful, leading to the heated exchange.

Spanish publication Marca and other outlets, including The Mirror, suggest Carvajal’s frustration stemmed from Saka’s penalty attempt, with speculation that the Real Madrid captain may have been taunting the young star over the miss. However, the exact words exchanged remain unclear.

Arsenal substitute Ben White and other staff members intervened to de-escalate the situation, with Saka quickly leaving the scene. UEFA regulations prohibit non-participating players from entering restricted areas like the tunnel during matches, making Carvajal’s presence a breach of conduct rules. This could result in a UEFA ban for Carvajal, similar to past incidents involving other players.

Despite the drama, Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals with a 5-1 aggregate victory, showcasing Saka’s resilience as he redeemed himself with a second-half goal. The incident serves as a reminder of the intense emotions and high stakes in football’s elite competitions.