Premier League panel unanimously clears Gabriel over controversial kick on Chelsea goalkeeper Martinez

The Premier League Key Match Incidents panel has unanimously ruled that Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes should not have been sent off for catching Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the face during Arsenal’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea earlier this month.

The five-member panel — comprising three former players or coaches, one Premier League representative, and one from Professional Game Referees — backed referee Chris Kavanagh and his VAR team’s decision to take no action after Gabriel’s boot connected with Martinez’s head as both players scrambled for a loose ball from a Martin Odegaard free kick.

“The panel unanimously supported the referee’s call of no red card,” the KMI panel said in a statement. “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.”

The incident proved the most contentious moment of a match already thick with officiating debate. Chelsea players Reece James and Joao Pedro protested vigorously at the time, and Martinez required treatment to his head before continuing. VAR did not direct Kavanagh to review the incident at the pitchside monitor.

The panel’s verdict runs counter to the view expressed on Match of the Day by Wayne Rooney, who argued Gabriel was “extremely lucky” to remain on the pitch. “Martinez has got the ball, and he boots him on the head,” Rooney said. “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.”

Former Premier League defender Ashley Young agreed. “When the ball is on the floor and Martínez has got it in his hands, Gabriel kicks so high. I’m not sure why it’s not gone to VAR — he’s nowhere near the ball. I think he’s got away with one there.”

The panel also issued unanimous 5-0 verdicts on two other disputed calls from the same fixture: Riccardo Calafiori’s disallowed goal for offside and the decision to permit Kai Havertz’s leveller to stand despite a marginal offside flag, both of which were backed as correct.