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Martinelli Apologizes After Pushing Injured Bradley

Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)
Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)
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Martinelli Apologizes After Pushing Injured Bradley

Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)
Noni Madueke (C) of Arsenal pushes back Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool who is approaching Gabriel Martinelli (R) of Arsenal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC, in London, Britain, 08 January 2026. (EPA)

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli apologized to injured Liverpool right back Conor Bradley after trying to push him off the pitch near the end ​of the 0-0 draw on Thursday.

Bradley fell awkwardly near the touchline in stoppage time and Martinelli clearly thought he was time-wasting, throwing the ball at him before manhandling him.

Liverpool's players reacted angrily and after the ensuing melee, Martinelli and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate were booked.

Northern Ireland full back Bradley was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher in obvious distress.

"Conor and I have messaged and I've ‌already apologized ‌to him. I really didn't understand he ‌was ⁠seriously ​injured in ‌the heat of the moment," Martinelli posted on social media.

"I want to say I'm deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."

Martinelli's actions were branded "disgraceful" and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said the Arsenal forward had left him fuming.

"You cannot do that. That is so poor. I think an apology is needed," the ⁠former Manchester United defender said.

"Bradley is being stretchered off. I'm fuming with Martinelli, to be ‌honest. Disgraceful. I'm surprised a Liverpool player ‍hasn't gone over and whacked Martinelli ‍there!"

Fellow pundit Roy Keane also criticized the Brazilian forward.

"I didn't like ‍it. It's happened to me when I was badly injured and a player stood over me, and it's not good... I'm surprised the Liverpool players didn't react to Martinelli more. I think that behavior is an absolute ​disgrace. Not good scenes," Keane said.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he "feared the worst" for Bradley, although he was measured ⁠in his criticism of Martinelli.

"I am 100% sure that if he knew what the injury might be, he wouldn't do that," the Dutchman said. "But it doesn't look great if Bradley has the injury we think he has.

"You don't like to see a player being moved if he might have an injury."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Martinelli would never have tried to move Bradley if he thought he was injured.

"Probably he doesn't know because knowing Gabi, there is zero intention," the Spaniard said.

"I don't know what happened to Conor, but hopefully it's not bad, but ‌obviously, there is no intention from Gabi to do anything bad to him."

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Election Draws Spotlight as Barca Host Sevilla

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)
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Election Draws Spotlight as Barca Host Sevilla

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)

Barcelona welcome Sevilla on Sunday aiming to maintain their La Liga lead on Real Madrid, but the stakes are even higher off the field with the club's next president to be named that night.

Club members will vote for one of the two candidates, Joan Laporta or Victor Font, to determine the direction Barca head in the years to come.

Laporta, who resigned from his role as president a few weeks ago to begin his reelection campaign, is firm favorite to stay in charge.

Despite a year-long delay in doing so, Barcelona returned to their Camp Nou home a few months ago and on Sunday, the north stand will be opened for the first time.

The temporary capacity has been raised to nearly 63,000, with the end goal to host 105,000 once the top tier is finally completed.

Sevilla's visit comes in between Champions League last 16 ties against Newcastle, with Barca looking to build on this week's 1-1 away draw.

Having won a domestic treble last season but fallen just short in Europe, reaching the semi-finals, success in that competition is Barca's top objective this season. The Catalan giants have not won the Champions League since 2015.

As he did against Athletic Bilbao last weekend in La Liga, Hansi Flick may be inclined to rotate some of his squad to keep them fresh to face Newcastle, although injuries may limit his options.

One player on the way back is 21-year-old midfielder Gavi, who last played in August before suffering a knee injury. The once Real Betis youth player is hoping to be on the bench to face his former side's rivals.

Flick's team will also be out for revenge after Sevilla inflicted a heavy 4-1 defeat on them in October, their first of the league season.

Matias Almeyda's Sevilla are 14th, not completely safe from danger, and any points on the road at Camp Nou would be a bonus for them. They are unbeaten in five games but four of those have been draws.

Barcelona hold a four-point advantage on Los Blancos in second, which Alvaro Arbeloa's team will try to reduce on Saturday to intensify the title race.

Madrid, after thrashing Manchester City in the Champions League, host an Elche side in free-fall after a good start to the season, now sitting 17th and just one point above the drop zone.

One of the reasons Laporta is likely to retain his position is the performance of Flick's side since the German coach arrived in the summer of 2024.

Whether Barca shine or stumble against Sevilla on Sunday could influence some floating voters at the ballot boxes, with polls closing a few hours after the game.

Sports

Leverkusen Wrestle with Inconsistency as Brilliant Bayern Await

Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Round 16 - First Leg - Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - March 11, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen players applaud their fans after the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Round 16 - First Leg - Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - March 11, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen players applaud their fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Leverkusen Wrestle with Inconsistency as Brilliant Bayern Await

Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Round 16 - First Leg - Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - March 11, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen players applaud their fans after the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Round 16 - First Leg - Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - March 11, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen players applaud their fans after the match. (Reuters)

Unpredictable Bayer Leverkusen host Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday, still battling the inconsistency which threatens to derail their top-four hopes.

The 2023-24 double winners have been a mixed bag this term and are still coming to terms with a close-season rebuild and the firing of coach Erik Ten Hag just two games into the campaign.

Leverkusen became the first team to avoid defeat against Arsenal in the Champions League this season in Wednesday's 1-1 last 16, first-leg draw.

When placed alongside their 2-0 win over Manchester City and a strong 2-2 home draw with Newcastle, those performances showed what Kasper Hjulmand's young side are capable of.

But domestically Leverkusen's progress has been undermined by lackluster showings against smaller teams -- and it may cost them a spot in next season's Champions League.

After dismantling RB Leipzig away in December, Leverkusen sat third and looked on track for the top four.

But Leverkusen have won just two of their past six Bundesliga matches and sit sixth, three points off the Champions League places.

Failing to secure Champions League football would be a major setback for a club who spent big in the summer, hoping to elevate themselves to a spot alongside Bayern and Dortmund in German football.

Even if the Bundesliga gets five Champions League spots, Leverkusen's chances hang in the balance, with Hoffenheim in third spot and both Stuttgart and Leipzig -- who play each other on Sunday -- above them in the table.

Facing Bayern in between matches against Premier League leaders Arsenal makes their task even harder.

"That's what we're here for. That's why we'll try to recover perfectly after each game and be 100 percent back, both physically and mentally," captain Robert Andrich said on Wednesday.

"We're looking forward to Bayern -- and also to heading to London."

Bayern have an 11-point buffer atop the table but have been hit by injuries.

Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies and Jonas Urbig joined Manuel Neuer and Hiroki Ito on the sidelines after picking up injuries in Tuesday's 6-1 Champions League demolition of Atalanta.

After missing two games with a knock, Harry Kane is set to return for Bayern.

He needs 12 goals in his remaining nine league games to beat Robert Lewandowski's single-season goalscoring record.

One to watch: Michael Olise

Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise scored two goals and laid on an assist in Tuesday's 6-1 Champions League win at Atalanta to continue his excellent season.

In a team packed full of attacking threats, Olise is a willing provider for Harry Kane and Luis Diaz, as well as being a goal threat himself.

Olise's achievements this year may have been overshadowed by Bayern's barnstorming form and Kane's pursuit of Lewandowski's record, but the France winger is on track for a milestone of his own.

In addition to 10 goals, Olise has 16 assists so far this league campaign -- five away from equaling Thomas Mueller's all-time Bundesliga record.

"When I'm in certain areas of the pitch the coach (Vincent Kompany) wants me to beat my man, to play, to shoot, to do what I want to do -- so I'd say I have the freedom in that sense, to do what I want," Olise told CBS.

Sports

Roberto Mancini Unable to Return to Qatar for Coaching Duties

An empty check-in counter for Qatar Airways, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York City, US, March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Bing Guan
An empty check-in counter for Qatar Airways, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York City, US, March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Bing Guan
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Roberto Mancini Unable to Return to Qatar for Coaching Duties

An empty check-in counter for Qatar Airways, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York City, US, March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Bing Guan
An empty check-in counter for Qatar Airways, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York City, US, March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Bing Guan

Al-Sadd coach Roberto Mancini has been unable to return to Qatar and will miss the team’s next game against Umm Salal because of the war in the region, the club said Thursday.

The Italian coach, who had been out of the country on a family matter, will miss Friday's match in the Qatar Stars League.

An assistant coach will handle first-team duties for the game “while coordination will continue for the coach’s return at the earliest available opportunity,” Al-Sadd said on social media.

Mancini, who won the European Championship as the Italy coach in 2021, was hired by Al-Sadd last November.

The club said arrangements had been made for Mancini “to leave after the first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite match due to a family medical matter.” That game, scheduled for early last week, was postponed.

“Following the recent developments in the region, Mancini departed as scheduled. However, due to the flight situation, he has not yet been able to return," the club's statement said.

Commercial flights have been halted or heavily restricted in the region following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf states.

Several sporting events scheduled in the region have been postponed, including ⁠some ⁠AFC Champions League Elite round-of-16 games.