REVEALED: The punishment for Gabriel Martinelli's push on Conor Bradley

Gabriel Martinelli has learned that he will not face any retrospective action from the Football Association (FA) following his controversial shove on Liverpool defender Conor Bradley during Arsenal’s goalless draw with the Merseysiders.

The incident, which occurred in the final stages of the match at the Emirates Stadium, caused widespread outrage. Bradley had been injured and was waiting for treatment after a clearance left him writhing on the pitch, his knee in a brace. Seconds after throwing a ball at the stricken full-back, Martinelli attempted to push him off the field, sparking a minor melee between players from both sides. Bradley ultimately had to be stretchered off with his head in his hands.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was visibly angered by the action. “You cannot push him off the pitch, you cannot do that, you idiot. I am surprised one of the Liverpool players hasn’t gone over and had a right pop at him,” Neville said. “I think an apology is needed. I’m fuming with Martinelli… absolutely disgraceful.”

Roy Keane echoed Neville’s criticism, describing Martinelli’s behaviour as “an absolute disgrace,” noting that the Brazilian had stood over Bradley and even put a knee near him after throwing the ball.

Despite the outrage, the FA has confirmed that Martinelli will not face further punishment beyond the yellow card he received during the match. Retrospective action is typically considered only when on-field referees and VAR officials fail to deal with serious incidents properly. In this case, Standard Sport reports that referee Anthony Taylor and his team handled the situation correctly, meaning no additional sanction is required.

Martinelli has since apologised to Bradley, explaining that he did not realise the defender was seriously injured at the time. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended the 24-year-old, saying: “Knowing Gabi, if anybody knows Gabi, he’s an incredible, lovely guy, and probably he didn’t realise what happened.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot also defended Martinelli, acknowledging the player’s intentions. “I’m 100 per cent sure that if he knew what the injury might be, he would never do that,” Slot said. “It doesn’t look great if he has the injury we fear he might have, of course. But football, time-wasting, diving has come to the point that in the 94th minute players think that’s probably happening again, because I’ve seen it against us so many times this season.”

The FA’s decision means Martinelli will be available for Arsenal’s upcoming matches, allowing the Gunners to maintain their attacking options without disruption. While the incident has sparked debate over on-field conduct and the line between frustration and foul play, the authorities appear satisfied that the referee’s actions were sufficient.

For Arsenal, the focus now shifts back to performance on the pitch. The club remains top of the Premier League table, and Martinelli will be expected to help continue their strong form as the season enters its crucial stages. The Brazilian forward, who has been a key figure for Mikel Arteta, can now concentrate on contributing to his team rather than facing off-field disciplinary matters.

The incident also highlights the pressures and emotions in high-stakes matches, especially during late-game situations where tensions run high and players must manage their actions carefully. Martinelli’s apology and the FA’s decision allow the story to close without further punishment, but it will remain a talking point among pundits and fans alike.