Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has apologised to Liverpool defender Conor Bradley after shoving the seriously injured player during Thursday’s goalless draw at Emirates Stadium.

The Brazilian international was booked in the closing stages of the match after throwing the ball at his opponent and physically moving him as he lay on the turf.

This flashpoint provoked an angry reaction from the visiting squad, with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane labelling the attacker’s actions a disgrace on television.

The 22-year-old full-back eventually left the London venue on crutches and wearing a supportive brace on his left knee.

‘Heat of the moment’

Following substantial criticism, the 23-year-old winger took to social media to express his remorse for the late-game altercation.

Conor and I have messaged and I have already apologised to him.

I really didn’t understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment. I want to say I’m deeply sorry for reacting.

Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery.

Prior to this public apology, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta defended his player’s character during a post-match press conference.

Knowing Gabi, he’s an incredible, lovely guy, and he probably didn’t realise what happened. I hope that Conor is well, I will have a word with him to understand that.

Fears over serious damage

The young Northern Irishman, who had struck the crossbar in the first half of a cagey encounter, now faces an anxious wait regarding his fitness.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admitted he is highly concerned about the severity of the problem.

I fear the worst for Conor Bradley. I don’t know yet but he had to go off on a stretcher.

We’ll have to wait on the scans to see if it’s that bad.

However, the Dutch tactician offered a sympathetic view of the confrontation, suggesting the broader issue of football time-wasting contributed to the misunderstanding.

You cannot expect Martinelli to think so clearly in the 94th minute. I’m a hundred per cent sure that if he knew what the injury might be, he would never do that.

Title race context

The tense stalemate leaves Arteta’s side sitting six points clear at the summit of the league table.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Manchester City find themselves trailing the North Londoners by a staggering 14 points.

Reigning champions Argentina will begin their World Cup 2026 title defence in Group J against Algeria, Austria and tournament debutants Jordan this summer.

The title holders are heavily favoured to progress from the group stage and join Italy and Germany as four-time winners of the prestigious tournament.

Lionel Messi returns for his sixth global finals campaign despite suffering a recent injury scare.

The veteran forward remains the focal point for manager Lionel Scaloni as the South American giants attempt to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.

Battle for second place

Austria and Algeria are separated by just three places in the current world rankings.

The European and African nations are expected to fiercely contest the second automatic qualifying spot behind the group favourites.

Meanwhile, minnows Jordan are appearing at the finals for the very first time and will hope to cause a major upset on the global stage.

The newly expanded 48-team format means that eight of the best third-placed finishers will also advance to the knockout stages in North America.

Dominant qualification campaign

The current continental champions cruised through their qualifying process to book their tickets to the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Scaloni’s squad topped the South American standings by a commanding nine-point margin over second-placed Ecuador while boasting a positive goal difference of 21.

They possess a formidable mix of youth and experience, with 17 members of their victorious 2022 squad returning for this latest challenge.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez features in a highly talented roster alongside Premier League counterparts Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero.

Group J fixtures

All fixture times are listed in British Summer Time.

Former Uefa president Michel Platini has launched legal proceedings in Paris against Fifa and its president Gianni Infantino over an alleged conspiracy that derailed his career.

Lawyers for the 70-year-old confirmed the criminal complaint also targets two former executives, Marco Villiger and Domenico Scala.

The trio stand accused of malicious prosecution and influence peddling during the fallout of a 2015 corruption scandal.

The former France international claims the group actively conspired to prevent him from succeeding Sepp Blatter as the most powerful man in world football.

Cleared of corruption charges

Platini had been the overwhelming frontrunner to take control of the global governing body nearly a decade ago.

His ambitions were abruptly halted when the ethics committee suspended both him and Blatter over a controversial two million Swiss franc payment.

However, the pair were entirely cleared of fraud and forgery charges by a Swiss federal criminal appeals court late last year.

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner is now seeking separate financial damages in Switzerland for what his legal team describe as a calculated effort to ruin his reputation.

Unwelcome timing ahead of World Cup

Infantino previously worked directly beneath Platini as general secretary of European football’s governing body.

The 54-year-old ultimately secured the presidency in 2016 and has consolidated his authority ever since.

These latest legal developments present a significant distraction just days before the expanded World Cup begins across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Fifa has yet to issue an official response regarding the allegations.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has left captain Maro Itoje out of his 26-player training squad to manage the forward’s heavy workload ahead of the summer tour.

Discussions are ongoing between Borthwick, the 31-year-old lock, and head of performance Phil Morrow regarding a complete rest during the upcoming Nations Championship.

The Saracens star could miss high-profile fixtures against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina following an exceptionally demanding 12 months.

The experienced forward recently led the British and Irish Lions to a series victory in Australia and suffered the tragic loss of his mother in December.

Uncapped prospects earn international call-ups

The newly announced training group will assemble at Pennyhill Park this week to prepare for a preliminary clash against a France XV in Vannes on 19 June.

The national team boss has taken this opportunity to evaluate fresh talent, handing a first senior call-up to Harlequins prop Will Hobson.

Sale hooker Nathan Jibulu, Bristol tighthead George Kloska, and Saracens lock Hugh Tizard are also hoping to impress in the pack.

Players involved in the impending Premiership semi-finals between Northampton, Leicester, Bath, and Exeter remain unavailable for selection.

Gruelling schedule and rehabilitation

Further uncapped additions feature in the backline, with Saracens wing Tobias Elliott joining club-mate Noah Caluori in the senior setup.

Gloucester full-back Ben Redshaw also returns to the fold, having previously trained with the elite squad as a teenager during the 2023 World Cup.

Meanwhile, three established internationals will attend the camp strictly to continue their injury rehabilitations:

Following the fixture in France, the squad faces a daunting July itinerary with consecutive Saturday tests in Johannesburg, Liverpool, and Santiago del Estero.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall would have fought Alex Pereira at the White House this weekend if the British fighter was fully fit.

Instead, a unique fight card will take place on the South Lawn on Sunday.

The co-main event sees Pereira face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

Aspinall is currently recovering from double eye surgery following a controversial bout in October.

The 33-year-old suffered severe eye pokes from Gane, resulting in their undisputed title fight being ruled a no-contest.

Historic stakes for Pereira

When asked if a healthy Aspinall would have taken the prestigious slot against Pereira, White was unequivocal.

“Oh, 100 per cent. That would’ve been the fight,” White told TNT Sports.

The American promoter explained that numerous champions are currently sidelined, complicating the matchmaking process.

The Brazilian superstar Pereira is now stepping up to face former interim titleholder Gane.

Victory for the 38-year-old would see him become the first three-weight world champion in UFC history.

Pereira previously captured both the middleweight and light-heavyweight belts during a scintillating promotional run.

Aspinall awaits the winner

The French challenger, meanwhile, is desperate to secure interim gold for a second time.

Gane has previously fallen short in undisputed title bids against Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones.

The victor on Sunday is widely expected to face the recovering British champion next.

Aspinall admits he is torn between seeking retribution against his recent opponent and facing a global superstar.

“I want revenge of course, but also, there’s an argument to say that me and Pereira would be a bigger fight,” Aspinall told Fight Your Corner.

Waiting for an invitation

Despite the lucrative appeal of a Pereira showdown, the Salford-born fighter anticipates a different outcome.

“I would say Gane beats Pereira by points; I think he’s just gonna move too much for him,” he added.

Despite his status as the division’s kingpin, Aspinall revealed he has not been formally invited to attend the historic Washington event.

The heavyweight titleholder insists he does not feel disrespected by the omission.

However, the British star made it clear he would eagerly accept a late call to watch the action from ringside.

“If they asked me, I would definitely go. I would like to watch the fight up close,” Aspinall confirmed.

The Independent Football Regulator has contacted West Ham United to seek urgent information regarding co-owner David Sullivan following historical allegations of sexual exploitation.

The watchdog described the claims against the 77-year-old as “extremely serious” and will use statutory powers to assess his suitability for a senior executive role.

Seven women have accused the billionaire of predatory behaviour dating back to the 1980s and 1990s during his ownership of the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport newspapers.

We are in contact with West Ham on this matter and will use our statutory powers to seek urgent information from David Sullivan relating to his suitability under our Owners, Directors and Senior Executives regime.

Sullivan steps down as chairman

Over the weekend, the long-time football executive stepped down from his position as chairman of the east London club to actively contest the accusations.

He released a statement categorically denying the claims, which reportedly involve pressuring young models to engage in sexual acts.

After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry, in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me.

Government and police involvement

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport echoed the regulator’s stringent stance, labelling the unfolding situation as “deeply concerning”.

A government spokesperson confirmed that the allegations must be treated with the utmost seriousness and robustly investigated by the relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police are actively investigating a report relating to the alleged taking of indecent images and sexual exploitation at locations in London and Essex.

Specialist detectives from the Met’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team are currently leading the inquiry into the 1980s incidents concerning one alleged victim.

Background in the adult industry

The prominent businessman made his vast fortune through the pornography industry throughout the 1970s before eventually moving into top-flight sports ownership.

In 1982, he was convicted of living off immoral earnings and served 71 days in prison before successfully appealing the verdict.

These severe off-field controversies now add significant instability at the London Stadium as the Premier League club navigates the remainder of their current campaign.

Edin Dzeko will lead Bosnia and Herzegovina at the upcoming World Cup in the United States at the age of 40, following a dramatic play-off victory over Italy.

The former Manchester City striker has accumulated more than 450 career goals and earned nearly 150 international caps.

He admits his incredible longevity in the professional game has come as a surprise even to himself.

Sometimes there is an end for all of us. Maybe mine is coming soon.

Joining an elite veteran club

The prolific forward will captain a national squad featuring several teammates who are young enough to be his sons.

By competing in the upcoming tournament, the veteran marksman joins Roger Milla in an exclusive group of outfield players to appear at a World Cup in their forties.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric are also expected to achieve this rare international milestone.

Reaching this stage required a monumental upset, as the 71st-ranked Balkan nation eliminated the four-time world champions on penalties to secure qualification.

There was a lot of talk that Italy might not go to a third consecutive World Cup. Almost no one talked about us as a team, that we truly are an excellent team with many young players.

The secret to lasting success

The seasoned attacker played in a Champions League final at 37 and attributes his prolonged career to meticulous physical preparation.

I didn’t think I would be playing at 40. If you asked me 10 years ago, I would say no, but I’m listening to my body as well and doing a lot of work before and after training to help my body.

He highlighted the crucial importance of dedicating extra hours to gym work and injury prevention routines that younger professionals often overlook.

This disciplined approach has allowed the target man to outlast almost all of his contemporaries from the famous 2012 Premier League title-winning squad.

Following James Milner’s recent retirement, only Stefan Savic and Mario Balotelli remain active alongside the man who scored the crucial injury-time equaliser against Queens Park Rangers.

Premier League champions Arsenal have made preliminary contact with Newcastle United regarding a potential £100m transfer for Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali.

Mikel Arteta’s side are looking to strengthen their squad after ending a 22-year title drought during a historic 2025-26 campaign.

The Gunners also reached the Champions League final and are now targeting midfield reinforcements to maintain their newly established domestic dominance.

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, the north London club have initiated discussions over the 26-year-old in recent days.

Magpies demand record fee

Newcastle have reportedly placed a massive valuation on the Italian following a profoundly disappointing season on Tyneside.

Eddie Howe’s team missed out on European qualification entirely after finishing 12th in the top flight, prompting an expected summer exodus.

The St James’ Park outfit have already sanctioned the high-profile sale of winger Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.

Arsenal previously explored a move for the midfield anchor during the January window after Mikel Merino suffered an injury.

Rival interest in the Italian

Securing the signature of the highly-rated playmaker will not be a straightforward process for the recently crowned champions.

Both Manchester City and Manchester United are actively monitoring the situation as they consider their own midfield options.

“Arsenal made some calls over the recent days for Tonali, so Arsenal are also in the mix,” Romano confirmed.
“There could be more clubs joining the race for Tonali, so the situation could become interesting.”

Should a deal be agreed, the acquisition would join a formidable Emirates Stadium engine room featuring Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.