sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Bukayo Saka breaks silence on Conor McGregor sparring with him on the Emirates Stadium pitch
Home>Football>Football News>Arsenal
Published 11:20 9 Oct 2024 GMT+1

Bukayo Saka breaks silence on Conor McGregor sparring with him on the Emirates Stadium pitch

Conor McGregor was on the pitch with Bukayo Saka after Arsenal's Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Bukayo Saka has broken his silence after Conor McGregor was accused of "taking it too far" with him on the Emirates Stadium pitch.

UFC star McGregor was in attendance for Arsenal's 2-0 Champions League victory on 1 October and saw Saka bag the second.

The Irishman then ended up on the pitch having a kickabout with both Saka and Declan Rice, with footage being widely shared on his social media.

Advert

In one video, McGregor can be seen sparring with England star Saka, engage in a playing-fight but catching him with a kick to the back of his leg and then his stomach.

Saka, understandably, looked a little afraid of the two-weight UFC champion and told him to "be careful".

He then faked grappling him and taking him down before shaking his hand.

Some expressed concern for Saka, but he was stressed that his link-up with McGregor was in good spirits.

Image: Instagram/@bukayosaka87
Image: Instagram/@bukayosaka87

Taking to his Instagram story, Saka attached a picture of the pair - with the caption: "Good to meet you @thenotoriousmma. No harm done just a friendly spar."

McGregor was not a guest of Arsenal's and according to The Times, he did not have permission to enter the pitch.

He was asked to go back inside the stadium and there was concern expressed as to how McGregor came to be practicing MMA moves on one of their key players.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

A report said Arsenal launched an internal enquiry into the matter and found that McGregor and his entourage got last-minute hospitality tickets through 1 Access - a company with a box to host stars at the Emirates.

The box is situated near an area where players often congregate afterwards and it was there that McGregor came to be in the company of Arsenal players.

Arsenal are considering their matchday protocols and also keen to distance themselves from McGregor given previous controversies.

Featured Image Credit: Getty & Conor McGregor

Topics: Conor McGregor, Bukayo Saka, Arsenal, UFC

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

F1 and F3 trainer reveals gruelling physical and mental work drivers must do for each race ahead of British GPGettyDavid Croft proposes new Olympic sport with drivers from 'around the world' ahead of British GPGetty'Mo Salah owes me money!' - Micah Richards makes claim about Egypt icon 11 years on from gesture GettyThierry Henry on his ‘big brother’ France teammate, biggest influence and the discipline that defines himGetty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • Getty
    6 hours ago

    FIFA's unusual decision for France's World Cup quarter-final explained after fan questions emerge

    The quarter-final between France and Morocco in Boston will make World Cup history.

    Football
  • Getty
    7 hours ago

    Egypt manager speaks out after using 'X' gesture in Argentina defeat

    Hossam Hassan made the gesture as he was being booked during Egypt's 3-2 defeat.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    France star becomes 'increasingly frustrated' with lack of World Cup minutes ahead of Morocco clash

    He made 54 appearances in all competitions for his club last season...

    Football
  • FIFA
    8 hours ago

    World Cup referee involved in lengthy exchange after Egypt manager's 'X' gesture vs Argentina

    Egypt manager Hossam Hassan made the gesture towards the end of his side's 3-2 defeat.

    Football
  • Arsenal make decision after Conor McGregor got on Emirates Stadium pitch and sparred with Bukayo Saka
  • Conor McGregor accused of 'taking it too far' with Bukayo Saka as new footage of UFC star at Arsenal emerges
  • Conor McGregor placed a ridiculous last-minute one million pound bet over the weekend and won
  • Dana White responds to Conor McGregor's major UFC rule change idea after UFC 307