Arsenal Star Faces Possible Extended Ban After Off-the-Ball Incident vs Newcastle: PGMOL Expert Calls for Investigation
An Arsenal player could be facing retrospective action and a possible extended ban following a controversial off-the-ball incident in the recent Premier League clash against Newcastle United. The incident, which has sparked debate among pundits and fans alike, involved Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães and Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade during Arsenal’s 2-1 win at St. James’ Park.
According to reports and post-match interviews, the controversy centers around a moment in the game when Gabriel allegedly elbowed Woltemade in the face away from the ball. The altercation was not addressed by the on-field referee and went unpunished during the match. VAR also did not intervene at the time, prompting questions about whether the incident met the threshold for a review.
After the match, Woltemade voiced his frustration, suggesting that the incident should have resulted in disciplinary action. “He elbowed me in the face and it wasn’t even checked,” he claimed, highlighting concerns about consistency in officiating and the role of VAR. This statement has since triggered a wave of media attention, with some former referees and pundits stating that the act could amount to violent conduct if confirmed by video evidence.
A PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) expert, whose role includes reviewing refereeing standards and incidents post-match, stated that the footage of the off-the-ball contact “raises questions” and should “absolutely be looked at” by the FA’s disciplinary panel. The expert emphasized that even though the incident wasn’t caught in real time, retrospective punishment is still possible if the FA deems the action deliberate and violent.
What Could Happen Next?
If the Football Association (FA) opens an investigation and determines that Gabriel’s action constitutes violent conduct, he could face a suspension. A standard violent conduct charge usually carries a three-match ban. However, depending on the severity and intent seen in the footage, the FA has the discretion to impose a longer ban — hence talk of a potential “extended” suspension.
The key factors in such decisions typically include whether the contact was intentional, the level of force used, and whether the player has a history of similar incidents. Gabriel has had disciplinary issues in the past, though nothing severe enough to warrant an extended ban previously.
As of now, no official charge has been confirmed by the FA. Arsenal have not issued a comment, and Gabriel himself has not responded to Woltemade’s allegations.
A Growing Debate Around VAR and Consistency
The incident has further fueled the ongoing debate about VAR’s role in Premier League matches. Critics argue that if such off-the-ball incidents are missed entirely or inconsistently handled, it undermines the integrity of the system. Supporters of Newcastle have expressed frustration, pointing to similar incidents that have resulted in bans when caught on camera.
For now, all eyes are on the FA and whether it will take retrospective action. If found guilty of violent conduct, Gabriel could miss critical upcoming matches for Arsenal, potentially impacting the club’s title or top-four aspirations.
Until then, the incident remains under public and media scrutiny, and pressure mounts on governing bodies to ensure consistency and fairness in officiating.