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Gary Neville sparks huge complaints with 'whack him' comment in Arsenal vs Liverpool clash
Jan 14 2026 15:16 · By Daniel Marsh/Senior Sports Reporter · 38 Reads
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Over 560 complaints were made to Ofcom following comments made by Sky Sports commentator, Gary Neville , over an incident involving Gabriel Martinelli and the injured Conor Bradley in Arsenal's draw with Liverpool last week.
In the dying moments of the game, which finished goalless, Martinelli attempted to push Bradley off the pitch while he was down by the touchline, sparking anger from the Liverpool defender's team-mates. The Brazilian's actions were widely condemned with Martinelli later issuing an apology on social media to Bradley, who was stretchered off and requires surgery on the knee injury he sustained.
Neville was commenting on the game at the time and slammed Martinelli's actions , saying: “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.”
A new report from The Mail has revealed that Neville's comments were picked up on by viewers and prompted 567 complaints to Ofcom over Sky's coverage of the game: the most of 2026 so far.
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While Neville's comments were picked up online by fans following the game, he was not the only Sky Sports pundit who took aim at Martinelli, with Roy Keane describing the forward's actions as an "absolute disgrace".
Daniel Sturridge, the former Liverpool striker, also condemned Martinelli's actions, saying: “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.”
Martinelli, who was shown a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor following the incident, gave his version of events on social media, saying: “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.”
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.