Gary Neville draws hundreds of complaints after controversial comment live on Sky Sports | Football | Sport

He said: “You can’t push him off the pitch. You cannot do that. That is so poor. An apology is needed. Bradley is being stretchered off. I’m fuming with Martinelli to be honest.

“I don’t know how the Liverpool players didn’t go over and absolutely whack him to be honest with you and take a red card. Absolutely disgraceful, that.”

According to the Daily Mail, Neville’s remarks were noticed by viewers and triggered 567 complaints to Ofcom regarding Sky’s broadcast of the match: the highest number in 2026 thus far.

Whilst Neville’s comments gained traction online from supporters after the match, he wasn’t the only Sky Sports analyst who criticised Martinelli, with Roy Keane branding the forward’s actions an “absolute disgrace”.

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also criticised Martinelli’s behaviour, stating: “It’s disappointing to see. There’s passion and there’s being a winner, there’s wanting to help your team-mates, but you’ve got to be respectful as a footballer.”

Following the incident, which saw referee Anthony Taylor brandish a yellow card to Martinelli, the Arsenal forward addressed the controversy via social media.

He explained: “Conor and I have messaged and I’ve already apologised to him. 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.”