Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on Gabriel Martinelli, branding the Arsenal forward's behaviour an 'absolute disgrace' after he attempted to push a clearly injured Conor Bradley off the pitch. The incident occurred during Thursday's 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium, when the Liverpool defender went down clutching his leg while trying to clear the ball. Martinelli, rather than showing concern, dropped the ball on the stricken player and then tried to force him off the field, triggering a brawl that saw both he and Ibrahima Konate booked. Bradley was eventually stretchered off in agony.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the Manchester United icon did not hold back. '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,' he said. 'Throwing the ball at him, standing over him and getting a little knee on him. He tries to force him off. That behaviour is an absolute disgrace. He's a good boy to roll over himself. Hopefully, Martinelli will have a look at it and hopefully, he'll apologise for it. Not good stuff that.'
Fellow pundit Daniel Sturridge echoed Keane's sentiments, describing the incident as 'disappointing' and 'disrespectful'. He added: '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. Injuries are never a nice feeling. Martinelli is thinking time wasting but you've got to be self aware enough to see the guy is down. You've been there before. It's disrespectful. It's probably worse than disrespectful.'
Gary Neville, commentating for Sky, was equally furious and suggested a Liverpool player should have retaliated. 'I am surprised one of the Liverpool players hasn't gone over and had a right pop at him. I think an apology is needed,' he said. 'I'm fuming with Martinelli, I don't know how a Liverpool player didn't go and whack him and take the red card. Absolutely disgraceful.'
Arsenal return to action this weekend with an FA Cup tie against Portsmouth, while Liverpool host Barnsley at Anfield on Monday. The incident is likely to be reviewed by the FA, though no further action has been confirmed.
