Mikel Arteta is the latest individual to be accused of starting the tunnel spat following Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Barcelona on Tuesday night.

The former Arsenal midfielder, now a coach at City, reportedly started the incident by provoking Lionel Messi.

‘What are you waiting for?’ Arteta told Messi in the tunnel according to Spanish TV station La Sexta. ‘Go and get changed, asshole.’

Messi responded by calling Arteta out.

‘Idiot, come over here, don’t run off and hide!’ said Messi.

What you might’ve missed:

Aguero plays down his involvement

‘[I saw] nothing. I thought Messi said something to me but he didn’t, and then we [the other players] talked about other stuff,’ said Aguero.

‘[It was] nothing serious. I heard something but I don’t know what happened.

‘When someone loses you have to respect them. Leo wasn’t in the mood to talk and I respect that.’

Fernando denies role in tunnel fracas

‘I don’t know where the rumours and discussion about my role in the provocation of Messi came from,’ the Brazilian told media.

‘I just want to say that the rumours that are circulating in the media are absurd; I didn’t even have contact with any Barcelona players or technical staff after the game.

‘Instigating and provoking are not in my nature, bearing in mind that I put a lot of importance on showing respect both on and off the pitch, regardless of the opposition or player in question.’