Premier League explain why Gabriel avoided red card for ‘headbutt’ on Erling Haaland

Gabriel avoided a red card against Manchester City as his apparent headbutt was not ‘excessively aggressive or violent’.

That is according to the Premier League’s official explanation of the decision to show the defender a yellow card.

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The Arsenal star was booked after a coming together with Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium.

Gabriel pushed his head into the Norwegian as they came face-to-face during the second half.

However, referee Anthony Taylor opted against showing a red card to the Brazilian.

Instead, he booked Gabriel, as well as Haaland, although the incident was checked by video assistant referee John Brooks.

It was then determined that Taylor’s decision was not a clear and obvious error, with his on-field call being upheld.

Premier League explanation

The Premier League Match Centre clarified the decision in an explanation on social media.

In a post on X, they said: “The referee’s call of no red card was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action from Gabriel deemed not to be excessively aggressive or violent.”

talkSPORT’s Perry Groves and Alan Pardew were left stunned by the decision as they admitted Gabriel had ‘got away with one’.

Reacting on GameDay Live, Groves said: “Haaland does well actually because he doesn’t react whatsoever…

“I think Gabriel has really got away one. He thought that Haaland was out of reach but obviously he wasn’t.”

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Meanwhile, Pardew added: “I got fined 150 grand for that so you know where my feelings are there.

“He definitely put his head in a place he shouldn’t have, a bit like myself.”

The former Newcastle United manager was handed a three-match stadium ban and four-game touchline ban for headbutting Hull City’s David Meyler back in 2014.

Haaland, who stayed on his feet during the altercation, also gave his thoughts on the decision following the final whistle.

When asked if Gabriel should have been sent off, he told Sky Sports: “I think if I fell on the floor, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, it will maybe be a red card. I’m not sure. But it is what it is, I will not fall on the floor.

“Yellow card for me, I’m not sure why, he comes up to my face. But it is what it is.”

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The decision didn’t come back to bite City as they claimed a huge 2-1 victory over their title rivals with Haaland scoring the winning goal.

City are three points behind the Gunners, but have a game in hand, which is at Burnley on Wednesday night, live and exclusively on talkSPORT.

As for Arsenal, they will look to bounce back at home to Newcastle United next weekend.

The two sides meet at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, April 25, with kick-off at 5.30pm.

A win would see the Gunners end the weekend top of the table, with City in FA Cup semi-final action against Southampton.