The final moments of Arsenal’s match against Liverpool were overshadowed by a controversial incident involving Gabriel Martinelli, drawing the ire of football legend Roy Keane.
As Liverpool’s Conor Bradley lay injured, Martinelli appeared to attempt to hasten his removal from the pitch, seemingly believing Bradley was deliberately wasting time. The game was paused for medical attention, and frustration visibly mounted.
The situation escalated as Martinelli not only tried to physically move the injured player, but also threw the ball at Bradley while he was down and appeared to make contact with a kick. The actions sparked immediate reaction from Liverpool players.
Roy Keane, never one to shy away from strong opinions, delivered a scathing assessment of Martinelli’s behavior. He described it as “disgraceful,” recalling a similar experience during his own playing career when injured.
“I didn’t like it, I didn’t like it at all,” Keane stated emphatically. “It happened to me before. I was injured and someone tried to get me off the pitch. It’s not good.”
Keane expressed surprise that Liverpool’s players didn’t react more forcefully to Martinelli’s actions, emphasizing the unsportsmanlike nature of attempting to move an injured opponent.
He further criticized Martinelli, suggesting the player often exaggerates contact and needs to reflect on his conduct, hoping for an apology. The core issue, Keane stressed, is the disregard for the severity of Bradley’s potential injury.
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge echoed Keane’s sentiments, calling the incident “disappointing” and “even worse than disrespectful.” He highlighted the importance of respect, even amidst the heat of competition.
Sturridge, having experienced injuries himself, emphasized the vulnerability of a player in that situation and the need for self-awareness. He argued that while passion and a desire to win are commendable, they should never come at the expense of basic decency.
The extent of Conor Bradley’s injury remains a concern, but the focus has shifted to Martinelli’s conduct and the debate surrounding acceptable behavior on the football pitch. The incident has ignited a discussion about sportsmanship and respect for injured players.
