Credit: Imago / @gyo14keres via X
Credit: Imago / @gyo14keres via X

Gabriel Jesus 'likely to be suspended' after Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid scenes - Ex-refs chief

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Gabriel Jesus could face serious punishment if Atletico Madrid choose to report the Arsenal attacker following scenes at the Emirates Stadium.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Brazilian could be fined and suspended for his actions on Tuesday, 5 May.

The Gunners claimed a narrow 1-0 win over the Spanish giants in the Champions League semi-final second leg, thanks to a first-half goal from Bukayo Saka in front of a jubilant crowd.

While his teammates celebrated booking their spot in the final at the Puskas Arena, Jesus lashed out at defender Marc Pubill, with footage of him slapping the defender after Arsenal's win over Atletico.

Atletico Madrid could seek punishment against Gabriel Jesus

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: "Any post-match action by the UEFA Disciplinary Panel will centre around the post-match report by the UEFA Match Delegate.

"They are effectively the eyes and ears of the organisation. There is also the possibility that the club will, when reviewing the incident, also report it to UEFA.

"If action is taken, a fine and a suspension will be the likely outcome."

Gabriel Jesus' suspension recordClubGames missed
Yellow card suspensionMan City1
Red card suspensionMan City2
Yellow card suspensionPalmeiras1
Yellow card suspensionPalmeiras1
Yellow card suspensionPalmeiras1
Red card suspensionPalmeiras1

Jesus has done reasonably well to keep his temper under control during his time in England, but the centre-forward may have taken it a step too far when confronting Atletico's No.18 at full-time.

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid fail to keep emotions in check

Despite a rather well-behaved set of players on the pitch, with only two yellow cards being shown in the final 15 minutes, actions on the sidelines appeared to sour the night a little bit.

Both Diego Simeone and Mikel Arteta were cautioned for their role in off-pitch confrontations, with Hackett hitting out at the assistant referee for failing to control the managers and substitutes.

The final moments of the tie were disrupted by staff members fighting on the sidelines, so it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see UEFA get involved retrospectively.

It is not the example that UEFA want to be setting for the rest of the footballing world, so Arsenal and Atletico are likely to be punished for their actions.

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