Gabriel Martinelli looks set to avoid an extra punishment despite being accused of displaying ‘total disrespect’ after shoving referee Sam Barrott during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat at Southampton.
The Gunners’ saw one other shot at ending their six-year trophy drought evaporate on the south coast after Shea Charles’ late strike earned the Championship side a deserved win and a time out at Wembley where they are going to face Chelsea within the semi-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked like they’d gained control of the tie when substitute Viktor Gyokeres equalised midway through the second half but were left chasing the sport within the closing stages after one other uncharacteristic defensive lapse.
As their desperate search for one more goal that might have taken the competition to beyond regular time intensified, frustration boiled over in Martinelli’s case.
The Brazil international forward was determined to take a fast free kick and in attempting to achieve this, put his hands on Barrott and gave him a mild shove.
Martinelli received a yellow card for his offence but former Premier League referee Mark Halsey felt he got off extremely evenly.
‘Referee Sam Barrott awarded a free-kick to Arsenal, Martinelli comes rushing in and he pushes Sam out of the best way,’ he told The Sun.
Get your football fix
Metro‘s weekly newsletter In The Mixer delivers punchy evaluation and breakdowns of the most important football stories on to your inbox.
Join here, it’s an open goal.
‘Now I’m sorry, Gabriel Martinelli showed total disrespect for the match official Sam Barrott in that situation.
‘Although Sam issued a yellow card, for me it’s a red card. You simply cannot put your hands on a referee, let alone push him out of the best way.
‘You’ve got to go searching the country, up and down, Saturday and Sundays where we’ve local park referees going out and doing their games.
‘What message does that send out to our local park referees?
‘I assumed Sam had a superb game, he refereed the sport well, but I believe he let the refereeing community down by not sending off Gabriel Martinelli for pushing him on the award of a free-kick, so he could take the free-kick quickly.’
Despite Halsey’s ire, the Football Association are set to take a more lenient view and, in response to The Athletic, are unlikely to sanction Martinelli given Barrott deemed the offence only worthy of a yellow card on the time.
It’s the second time this season that the 24-year-old has found himself on the receiving end of a backlash for what could generously be described as ungentlemanly conduct.
Back in January Liverpool players were furious when the Arsenal winger attempted to shove Conor Bradley off the pitch so he could restart the sport, seemingly unaware his opponent had suffered a serious knee injury that effectively ended his season.
‘You may’t push him off the pitch,’ an enraged Gary Neville said on the time. ‘You can’t do this. You idiot. That’s so poor.
‘I’m surprised certainly one of the Liverpool players haven’t gone over and had a right pop at him. I believe an apology is required.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to an internet
browser that
supports HTML5
video
‘He’s thrown the ball at him as well. That isn’t any good. I’m actually fuming with Martinelli. I don’t understand 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.’
Martinelli wrote on Instagram: ‘Conor and I even have messaged and I even have already apologised to him. I actually didn’t understand he was seriously injured in the warmth of the moment.
‘I need to say I’m deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all the perfect again for a fast recovery.’
MORE: Arsenal warned ‘perfect’ Sporting hold one significant advantage in Champions League quarter-final
MORE: Kieran Gibbs names the player Arsenal missed most in Southampton FA Cup defeat
MORE: Mikel Arteta urged to drop ‘world-class’ Arsenal star for £42m teammate