Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães avoided a red card for headbutting Erling Haaland during the Gunners’ game against Manchester City last month, but the Brazilian reportedly should have been sent off.
Gabriel appeared to headbutt Erling Haaland last month (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal star Gabriel deserves a red card for headbutting Erling Haaland, the Premier League committee has ruled. The Brazilian defender escaped a red card after appearing to throw his head at the Manchester City striker during a clash at the Etihad Stadium last month.
Neither referee Anthony Taylor nor VAR deemed the incident worthy of a red card, and both Gabriel and Haaland were cautioned. VAR John Brooks ruled the headbutt was “not overly aggressive or violent” and did not intervene.
However, the Premier League committee has now given its opinion, admitting that Gabriel should have indeed been sent off. The Premier League’s Major Match Incidents Committee voted 3-2 in favor of a red card, arguing that the “excessive forward movement of Gabriel’s head” should be considered an act of violence.
However, two other panelists argued that there was “little force or initial backwards movement from Gabriel.” And while it was accepted that a red card was warranted, the panel actually voted 4-1 against VAR intervention.
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Had Gabriel been sent off, he would have received an automatic three-match ban for violent behavior, meaning he would have missed not only the win over Newcastle but also the next games against Fulham and West Ham.
Manager Haaland gave his verdict on the incident shortly afterwards, claiming Gabriel could have been sent off if he had been a little more dramatic. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I think it’s always like this, a lot of fights and things like that.
“It’s up to others to decide whether I won that battle or not. Of course I scored the goal. In the decisive moment I won that battle. The cross was perfect. It was a great goal. In the end we win.”
Anthony Taylor only ruled the incident merited a yellow card (Image: Getty Images)
He added: “If I went to the floor there, which I won’t unless someone really attacked me, then it would be a red card. I don’t know because I haven’t seen the situation. That’s the way it is. It’s not going to go to the floor. For me, I don’t understand why he would come in my face.”
Meanwhile, former Manchester United star Gary Neville was left baffled by Gabriel remaining on the pitch. In commentary he said:
“You can butt heads with each other. I ended up in a game a long time ago. The moment I threw it forward, I got a red. Honestly, I can’t believe it wasn’t a red.”
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