New Gabriel Martinelli verdict drops after Conor Bradley controversy and red card demands

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Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher doesn't think there should be any retrospective action for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli after he shoved injured Liverpool star Conor Bradley.

With Bradley lying on the floor after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury during Thursday's 0-0 draw, Martinelli threw the ball in his direction and pushed him off the pitch. Brazil international Martinelli was shown a yellow card for the incident , which provoked anger from the Liverpool players.

Bradley, meanwhile, left the Emirates Stadium on crutches and wearing a supportive brace on his left knee. Arne Slot feared the worst when asked about the 22-year-old right-back in his post-match press conference.

As for Martinelli, Gary Neville branded the Arsenal man "disgraceful", and adding: "I'm fuming with Martinelli. I don't know how Liverpool players didn't go over to absolutely whack him to be honest with you."

Neville's former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane added: "I didn't like it at all. It happened to me once. I was badly injured and a player stood over me. It's not good. We know football, the player is a good lad. Throwing the ball at him, standing over him and getting a little knee on him. He tries to force him off."

There has been calls from some for Martinelli to face retrospective action - and a potential BAN - for his shove on Bradley. However, ex-referee Gallagher doesn't think the 24-year-old should be punished.

Gallagher told Sky Sports Ref Watch: "I think not [for Martinelli to be given retrospective]. He's been given a yellow card for his actions. If the players leave it to the referee, he's got a different landscape to deal with. When they all pile in, he's got to check everybody else. I think there's not quite enough there [for it to be a red card]."

The FA have now backed up Gallagher's verdict, as it has been made clear he will escape any retrospective punishment .

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Further discussing the incident on Sky Sports, former Cardiff and Coventry forward Jay Bothroyd added: "Conor's obviously got a serious injury. Everyone can see that. These are the types of things that happen in a game where if I'm Conor Bradley, as much as he has come out and said sorry, I won't be forgetting that the next time we face each other.

"It's irrelevant if it's obvious or not. Yes, they are trying to win the game, I understand that. You don't put your hands on anyone on the football pitch. You don't throw the ball at people or nudge them in the back. It's not okay to come out after and say 'I'm sorry.' In that moment, he was trying to react."

Martinelli took to Instagram on Friday morning to apologise to Bradley, admitting he didn't know the stricken Liverpool defender was seriously injured.

"Conor and I have messaged and I have already apologised to him," Martinelli said. "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."

Prior to Martinelli's social media post, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended his player.