Gary Neville's commentary during the Arsenal-Liverpool match has triggered a significant wave of complaints to Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator. The remarks, made during a Premier League game that ended in a scoreless draw, concerned an incident involving Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli and Liverpool's injured Conor Bradley.
The controversy unfolded in the match's closing stages when Martinelli attempted to move Bradley, who was near the touchline and receiving treatment for a knee injury, off the pitch. The Brazilian's actions sparked immediate outrage among Liverpool players and fans. Bradley had to be stretchered off the field and will require surgery for the knee injury.
Neville, providing commentary for Sky Sports, strongly criticized Martinelli's behavior. Reports indicate that Neville said on air that he didn'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".
The comments drew immediate attention, with many viewers finding them to be excessive and potentially inciting violence. As a result, Ofcom has received over 560 complaints regarding Neville's remarks—the most for any broadcast this year. Ofcom confirmed that the complaints relate to Neville's specific comments during the game. They are currently assessing these complaints against their broadcasting rules to determine whether to launch a formal investigation.
Martinelli has since apologized for his actions, stating that he didn't realize the severity of Bradley's injury at the moment. He has reportedly reached out to Bradley privately to offer his apologies as well. Other commentators also criticized Martinelli's conduct, with Roy Keane calling it an "absolute disgrace". Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also weighed in, calling Martinelli’s actions “disappointing” and emphasizing the importance of respect on the field. Martinelli received a yellow card for the incident.
The incident has ignited discussions about the responsibilities of commentators and the language they use, especially in moments of high tension. While strong opinions are common in sports commentary, the line between passionate analysis and potentially inciting behavior is now under scrutiny. The outcome of Ofcom's assessment will likely set a precedent for future broadcasting standards.
