Arsenal supporters target Gary Neville with chants during cup victory
Arsenal supporters targeted Gary Neville with abusive chants throughout their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg triumph over Chelsea on Wednesday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The Gunners’ faithful sang “Gary Neville, he’s a w****r” during the 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge, making their displeasure with the Sky Sports pundit abundantly clear. The hostility stemmed from Neville’s criticism of Gabriel Martinelli following an incident involving Liverpool defender Conor Bradley during last week’s Premier League encounter.
Neville’s remarks during the goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium sparked widespread anger among Arsenal fans, who seized the opportunity at Chelsea’s ground to voice their collective frustration towards the former Manchester United defender. Bradley sustained a serious knee injury during stoppage time of that match, an injury which has since ended his season.
The Liverpool full-back required surgery following an incident in the closing stages of the game, where Martinelli, believing the Northern Irish defender was wasting time, attempted to move him off the pitch for treatment. The severity of Bradley’s condition only became apparent after the match, prompting Martinelli to apologise for his reactions during the heated moment.
Neville aired his views directly during the live broadcast, labelling Martinelli’s conduct as “disgraceful” and demanding an apology. “You can’t push him off the pitch. You cannot do that. That is so poor,” he said. With attention focused on the injury, he expressed his frustration and went so far as to say, “I’m surprised a Liverpool player hasn’t gone over and whacked Martinelli there!”
In response, Martinelli addressed the situation via Instagram, explaining that he had contacted Bradley to express his regret, saying, “I really didn’t understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment. I want to say I’m deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery.”
Ofcom has received 576 complaints regarding Neville’s on-air remarks, far exceeding the typical volume for broadcasts. The spokesman for the broadcasting watchdog confirmed that the organisation is assessing these complaints against its rules, though no decision has been made on whether a formal investigation will follow.
Neville was notably absent from Sky Sports’ coverage of the Chelsea fixture, with Jamie Redknapp and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink handling punditry responsibilities instead. Arsenal’s victory boosts their chances of winning a first trophy in six years, reflecting the club’s drive under pressure.
In a world where emotions often run high on the pitch and in the stands, this incident serves as a reminder of the intricate web connecting sport, personal conduct, and public perception — a testament to how even the sharpest critiques can ignite fervent responses from dedicated supporters.
