In the match last Thursday things got rough in the game, and Gabriel Martinelli did not behave properly in the match. He is getting criticism for attempting to push the injured player of Liverpool off the pitch. The match was in the final stages, and Martinelli, not prepared for a goalless draw, threw a ball at him. And out of frustration, he tried pushing the injured player off the pitch.
Gary Neville stated the winger’s behavior was disgraceful and said that he is an idiot for doing that.
Martin Keown, not happy with Neville’s remarks, protected the Arsenal’s winger by calling it all a misunderstanding. He calls out Neville for escalating the whole incident.
Who was the injured player?
The Reds’ right-back Conor Bradley currently suffers a knee injury. The player picked up the injury last Thursday in a 0-0 draw with Arsenal. He will be missing the rest of the season due to this injury. The club confirms that it is not an ACL tear but that he has damage to the bone and ligaments of the left knee.
The Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli tried to push him off the pitch during the game. The player was looking for a late win in the match and was trying to save some time.
Later the Arsenal winger also apologized to the defender privately and stated that he is “deeply sorry.”
Martin Keown and Gary Neville on the situation
Gary Neville on commentary said his behavior is disgraceful. He said, “You can’t push him off the pitch. You cannot do that. You idiot. That is so poor. I am surprised one of the Liverpool players has not gone over and had a right pop at him. I think an apology is needed. And he throws a ball at him as well. That is no good. I am actually fuming with Martinelli.”
Martin Kneown is not happy with Neville’s comments on the Brazilian winger. According to Keown, the Manchester United and England right-back is trying to create a new narrative. He further added that the English commentator is just trying to inflame the situation; Martinelli apologized, and it ends here.
Martin Kneown believes that it was a misunderstanding on the pitch. The player was not aware of the severity of the injury in the heat of the game.
Martinelli was instantly booked for shoving the injured Liverpool defender, but he will not be facing any further punishment for this.
Updates on the whole incident
Conor Bradley, the Liverpool defender, has a serious injury and will not play for the rest of the season. The Arsenal winger will not face any further punishments for this. He later apologized to the defender privately. And even posted a story and apologized publicly for this incident.
He is facing criticism from Liverpool fans and commentators worldwide, but some also stood up for the Brazilian winger.
As Martin Keown claimed, Martinelli is one of the nicest people he has met in football. Kneown believes that the player had no intention of harm towards the defender; it was clearly just a misunderstanding. The winger must have interpreted that the defender is faking the injury and is wasting time in the last minutes of the match.
Author’s Insight
The incident on Thursday seems to be a misunderstanding. This clearly happened in the heat of the moment; the player was passionate and furious about the win. He clearly was not aware of the severity of the defender’s injury. He did the right thing by apologizing both publicly and privately, and this whole incident should end here. He meant no harm to the Liverpool defender; it was just the pressure of the game and the will to win.
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