‘Violent act’ – Ex-refs chief: Gabriel Magalhaes should have been sent off in unseen Arsenal incident
Gabriel Magalhaes should not have been on the pitch to score Arsenal’s winner against Newcastle United.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Jarred Gillett missed a “violent act” against Nick Woltemade on Sunday, 28 September.
Woltemade scored Newcastle’s opener in a 2-1 defeat at St James’ Park, with Mikel Merino and Gabriel both hitting the back of the net in the final few minutes to complete the comeback.
William Saliba was integral to Arsenal’s winning goal, but the moment might never have happened for the Gunners had VAR stepped in to send off the eventual match-winner earlier in the game.
Gabriel Magalhaes hits out at Nick Woltemade
Woltemade deserved a penalty against Bournemouth last week, and it was he who grabbed the goal in the 34th minute. Mikel Arteta‘s side kicked off again, and the goalscorer attempted to close down the ball, only to be stopped in his tracks by Gabriel.
In replays, it is very clear that the defender hit out at Newcastle’s forward, making contact with his face, and Hackett has described the incident as a “punch”, which should have been sanctioned with a red card.
Referee Gillett was nowhere near the incident, running upfield in anticipation of David Raya‘s clearance. So, the two players went toe-to-toe without any action being taken by the officials.
Given that the guilty party went on to score the winner, the Magpies are furious with the decision, and understandably so, as the video continues to be shared around social media after the game.
Arsenal star should have been sent off for an act of violence
Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the incident, saying: “It’s quite clear that it should have been detected by VAR. I’m not exonerating the referee, but angles and video replays are all about giving clarity, which might not be afforded to the referee.
“He’s moving, with players in front of him. This is one where you would expect VAR to intervene. It’s an action that has taken place, one which the referee hasn’t spotted, so it’s a clear and obvious error.
“It’s effectively a punch, which is a red-card offence. Therefore, VAR should have brought this to the referee’s attention, and had that happened, he might have decided there was sufficient force.
“If a player puts his hands on another player’s neck or upwards, he is committing a red-card offence. Players are expected to play with their feet and not punch opponents. This is a clear strike on an opponent. This should have been detected, bringing the referee to the pitch-side monitor, who then decides the sanction.”