Arsenal are investigating the bizarre post-match incident between Conor McGregor and Bukayo Saka as they look to distance themselves with the UFC star, according to reports.
Last week, the Gunners continued their unbeaten start to the campaign against French giants PSG in the Champions League, as they recorded a 2-0 victory.
While Mikel Arteta was overjoyed with his team’s performance in the Champions League, it’s become clear that Arsenal chiefs were not happy with what happened on the pitch after the full-time whistle.
As part of a series of posts shared on McGregor’s Instagram account, the former two-weight UFC champion showed himself jokingly sparring the Arsenal star.
The Irishman threw a number of kicks to the leg and the body which had Saka retreating before the incident seemed to come to an end.
Arsenal are considering match day protocols after the bizarre post-match incident between Conor McGregor and Bukayo Saka last week
McGregor was pictured with Arsenal stars Saka and Declan Rice (left) after their win over PSG
However, as they laughed and shook hands, McGregor then grabbed Saka and nearly threw him over.
The Arsenal star pleaded for McGregor to ‘be careful’ before the two finally put an end to their play-fighting.
Now, according to The Times, the north London giants are investigating as to how McGregor found his way onto the pitch with the Arsenal players, as they look to avoid a repeat of the event.
The outlet claim that McGregor and his entourage received VIP tickets through third party, 1 Access. The company provides corporate packages and has a box at the Emirates where celebrities are regularly entertained.
The box which 1 Access provide is also situated near the area where players gather post-match, which is where McGregor then met Arsenal stars Saka and Declan Rice.
The box is near an area where players often gather post-match, and it was here that McGregor met a couple of Arsenal players. McGregor accompanied the players through the tunnel on to the pitch, and was initially not challenged by security.
Saka had earlier scored to help Arsenal beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in the Champions League
McGregor, a Man United fan, has not fought in the UFC since a defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021
The club are now looking at arrangements for corporate guests to mingle with players post-match after the worrying incident.
Furthermore, Arsenal are looking to distance themselves from the McGregor brand given the controversies that have surrounded the star for many years.
Last year, McGregor rocked a man wearing the Miami Heat mascot suit, affectionately known as Burnie, during a break in a Game 4 loss at home to Denver as part of a promotional skit.
As is the case with most things McGregor, it went viral – leading to criticism on social media, particularly after The Athletic revealed the man had been taken to hospital.