Gabriel avoided a red card for kicking Emiliano Martinez in the head (Getty)
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel has ‘unanimously’ agreed that Gabriel Magalhaes was right not to be sent off during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea earlier this month.
Gabriel kicked Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head as he attempted to kick a loose ball during the first half of the game at the Emirates Stadium
However, referee Chris Kavanagh did not see the incident and did not punish the Arsenal defender, while video assistant referee Darren England did not recommend a review.
A review by the KMI Panel, which provides an independent assessment of major decisions in every Premier League match, has ruled that Gabriel’s kick did not warrant a red card.
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In its review of the incident, the KMI panel said: ‘The panel unanimously supported the referee’s call of no red card.
‘Multiple players were on the ground competing and challenging for the loose ball, and the action of Gabriel was not deemed to be an act of violent conduct or serious foul play.’
Emiliano Martinez required medical treatment after Gabriel’s kick (PA Wire)
Giving his verdict on the incident, former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney claimed that Gabriel was ‘extremely lucky’ to avoid being sent off.
‘Martínez has got the ball, and he [Gabriel] boots him on the head,’ Rooney said on BBC’s Match of the Day.
‘He’s got the ball in two hands, way over the top of the ball, and he boots him in the head, so I think he’s extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.’
