Arsenal has reportedly initiated an internal investigation after UFC star Conor McGregor was seen socializing with several players following last week’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.
Social media clips showed McGregor, also known as ‘Notorious’, playing around with Arsenal stars Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Additional footage seemed to show McGregor play-fighting with England international Saka, who, despite laughing it off, appeared uncomfortable with the MMA star’s actions.
McGregor, aiming kicks at the forward’s knees and appearing ready to lift Saka by his waist, could have potentially injured the Arsenal player.
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The incident is reported to have caused significant embarrassment for Arsenal’s top brass, especially since McGregor had entered the playing field without permission and was asked to return inside once security chiefs became aware.
According to The Telegraph, McGregor attended the 2-0 victory over PSG after securing VIP tickets through a third-party provider at the last minute. The Irishman was hosted by 1 Access – a hospitality company that owns a box at the Emirates Stadium and regularly hosts celebrities for Gunners’ matches.
It’s here where McGregor is said to have first met some of the Arsenal squad, before accompanying them pitchside – a move that wasn’t initially challenged by security.
In the aftermath, Arsenal is said to be reassessing their policy allowing high-profile visitors like McGregor to interact with players after games, and are seemingly keen on distancing from the ‘McGregor brand’.
Arsenal is reassessing its security policy (
(Image: Getty))
McGregor, known for his front-page controversies, was previously convicted of assault and drew sharp criticism from Micheal Martin, Ireland’s Tanaiste, for inflammatory immigration comments during last years Dublin unrest.
Referring to incidents like McGregor’s, but without naming him directly, Martin explicitly condemned such behavior in November 2023: “There’s been many comments online I’ve watched of that type which are absolutely disgraceful and we have a parliamentary democracy and we value that. The Irish people do as well.
“Isolated voices like that and voices that are essentially inciting hate and a degree to some extent incitement, are unacceptable.”
Taking to social media, McGregor had ominously stated: “You reap what you sow,” in an apparent critique of the Irish government’s handling of migration, adding fuel to the fire by claiming “Ireland was at war”.
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