Gary Neville receives Arsenal response after complaints over Gabriel Martinelli comments

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville sparked the most Ofcom complaints of 2026 so far after his on-air criticism of Gabriel Martinelli for pushing Conor Bradley during Arsenal's goalless draw with Liverpool

More than 560 complaints were lodged with Ofcom following remarks made by Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville regarding an incident involving Gabriel Martinelli and the injured Conor Bradley during Arsenal's draw with Liverpool last week. Arsenal fans made their views clear with chants directed towards Neville this week.

In the closing stages of the goalless encounter, Martinelli attempted to push Bradley off the pitch whilst he lay on the ground near the touchline, provoking fury from the Liverpool defender's team-mates. The Brazilian's conduct was widely criticised, with Martinelli subsequently posting an apology on social media to Bradley, who was carried off on a stretcher and requires surgery for the knee injury he suffered.

Neville was providing commentary on the match at the time and condemned Martinelli's behaviour, stating: "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 disclosed that Neville's remarks caught the attention of viewers and generated 567 complaints to Ofcom regarding Sky's broadcast of the match - the highest number in 2026 so far.

Whilst Neville's comments gained traction online amongst supporters following the fixture, he was not the sole Sky Sports pundit 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 issue Martinelli with a yellow card, the Arsenal forward addressed the matter on social media, explaining: "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."

He added: "I want to say I'm deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery." Arsenal fans responded to Neville's remarks by singing "Gary Neville, he’s a w*****, he’s a w*****" in the 3-2 win against Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night after the same chant was also heard in the FA Cup victory at Portsmouth.