GRIMANDI MAY FACE PUNISHMENT OVER CLASH
Simeone, who was involved in the incident which saw David Beckham sent off in the 1998 World Cup, was struck by the Frenchman as both men jostled for position in the penalty area and suffered a cut above his eye.
The volatile former Internazionale star went looking to confront Grimandi at the final whistle of the 1-1 draw, which sparked ugly scenes on the touchline, which is sure to be reported to Uefa.
It is not the first time that the controversial Grimandi has been in trouble with the authorities for disciplinary matters. The 29-year-old was handed a one-match ban and a fine by the FA for standing on Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister's hand in a Premiership clash in August.
He also served a three-match ban last season from the Champions League for an elbow incident with Barcelona's Josep Guardiola.
Grimandi claimed that his clash with Simeone was accidental and that Arsenal players were very controlled in the face of some fierce intimidation from some of the Lazio players.
"I was hit several times during the match and there were a lot of things going on," said Grimandi "But when Simeone was hurt it was only because I caught him with the flat of my hand when there were a lot of physical things going on in the penalty area. It was not intentional.
"As far as the incident goes, Simeone grabbed hold of my shirt from the corner and I didn't mean to hurt him.
Grimandi also accused the Lazio players of hurling racial abuse at Arsenal's black players especially towards Patrick Vieira.
"At the start of the game when we shook hands, the Lazio players were spitting in our faces and making racist remarks to Patrick Vieria," said Grimandi.
"As far as the incident goes, Simeone grabbed hold of my shirt from the corner and I didn't mean to hurt him.
"They started this and then didn't like it when we equalised. They just couldn't take it and they have only themselves to blame.
"How would you like it if people were spitting in your face? It was disgusting behaviour. I thought we controlled ourselves very well."
Vieira confirmed this allegation after the game pointing out Yugoslav centre half Sinisa Mihajlovic as the main culprit.
"Mihajlovic called me a black bastard and a f***ing black monkey," Vieira said, adding that Mihajlovic made similar comments in the first half.
"It started at Highbury and I thought that was just because we won the game and that maybe he was upset, but he started to do it again last night when they were winning 1-0.
"If that comes from the fans, then that's really stupid, but if it is a player, then that is unbelievable.
"It was the worst that has been directed at me as a player. I talked with some of the other Lazio players and I asked them what they thought of that. They said they know him and he is stupid."
Vieira`s countryman, Thierry Henry was equally appalled saying:" This is unacceptable and something that does not happen in England."
Mihajlovic played down reports of the incident, saying: "Nothing out of the ordinary happened, just run of the mill stuff."
