Premier League match sparks Ofcom complaints over Martinelli incident
A Premier League game between Arsenal and Liverpool has received 576 Ofcom complaints following an incident involving winger Gabriel Martinelli, reports BritPanorama.
The 24-year-old Brazilian faced significant criticism from pundits and fans alike for pushing Conor Bradley off the pitch while he was injured and throwing the ball at him. His actions have been described as “disgraceful” by former footballer Gary Neville.
Following the backlash, Martinelli publicly apologised, explaining that he was unaware of the seriousness of Bradley’s injury at the time. “Conor and I have messaged and I’ve already apologised to him,” Martinelli stated. “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,” he added, wishing Bradley a swift recovery.
The volume of complaints directed at the broadcaster is notably high, particularly given that Martinelli’s actions occurred during a goalless draw at Arsenal last Thursday. The incident took place in the closing stages of the game, after which Bradley, the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international, had to be carried off. His availability for the forthcoming World Cup play-offs remains uncertain.
Former Manchester United defender Neville was particularly incensed by the situation, stating, “You can’t push him off the pitch. You cannot do that. That is so poor. I think an apology is needed… I’m fuming with Martinelli to be honest. Disgraceful.”
Contrastingly, Arne Slot offered a more sympathetic view, asserting that Martinelli likely did not intend any harm and expressed concern for Bradley’s potential injury, remarking, “I am 100 per cent sure that if he knew what the injury might be that he would never do that.”
The incident has ignited discussions around player conduct and accountability in high-stakes matches, underscoring the fine line athletes tread between competitiveness and sportsmanship. In a sport where the emotional stakes run high, moments like these serve as a reminder of the complexities woven into the fabric of football
