Arsenal defender Gabriel should have been sent off for violent conduct during the club’s April defeat to Manchester City, according to the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel, which reviewed the controversial moment after the match.
The incident occurred in the 82nd minute of the high-stakes clash, with Arsenal chasing the game against the league leaders. Tensions escalated when Manchester City striker Erling Haaland pushed Gabriel, leading to a heated head-to-head confrontation between the two players.
As the pair separated, Gabriel appeared to make an additional head movement toward Haaland, which has now been judged as crossing the line into violent conduct.
Referee Anthony Taylor responded by issuing yellow cards to both players at the time, opting not to escalate the punishment further. Video assistant referee (VAR) John Brooks also chose not to intervene, allowing the original on-field decision to stand.
However, upon later review, the Premier League’s independent Key Match Incidents panel reached a different conclusion. The panel, introduced during the 2022-23 season to provide post-match assessments of major refereeing decisions, ruled by a narrow 3–2 majority that Gabriel’s actions warranted a red card.
According to sources familiar with the review, the deciding factor was Gabriel’s additional head movement after the initial confrontation, which the panel interpreted as violent conduct rather than a routine clash between players.
