Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett gave a clear verdict on whether Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes should have been sent off against Brentford and accused a different Gunners star of cheating during the game.
Mikel Arteta’s side were hoping to restore their six-point lead at the Premier League’s summit and seemed on track to do so when Noni Madueke headed the opening goal in on the hour mark. But Brentford fought back, finding a deserved equaliser 10 minutes later through Keane Lewis-Potter.
As both sides pushed forward for the winner, though, controversy struck when Gabriel clumsily kicked Dango Ouattara, who fell to the turf of the G-tech Community Stadium. With him already on a yellow card, Brentford players immediately surrounded referee John Brooks, who opted not to book the Brazilian for a second time.
That decision, though, didn’t go down particularly well with Bees manager Keith Andrews, who believed that a red card should have been shown. He told TNT Sports: “I think it was a definite yellow.
“The first few fouls always set the bar for how they referee the game, there’s always that level. And I felt a few times in the first half, we weren’t getting the rub of it.”
Ex-FIFA Referee Calls Out Two Decisions in Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
With the decision sparking debate following the final whistle, former FIFA referee Hackett was asked to give his thoughts on Andrews’ claim that Gabriel should have been sent off. Speaking to Football Insider, he said that the defender was fortunate to remain on the pitch for the time that remained.
He said: “The challenge by Gabriel is reckless and not the type of challenge you make when you’re already on a yellow card.
“The referee has clearly given him the benefit of the doubt on this one.”
But that was not the only incident which caught the eye of the ex-PGMOL chief. An earlier incident in the first half involving Noni Madueke led to the winger tumbling over under pressure from Brentford defender Rico Henry in the penalty area. But no spot kick was awarded by Brooks.
Replays showed that there was minimal contact prior to Madueke falling over. And Hackett believes that with Brooks not showing a yellow card for an apparent dive, an independent panel should be established to review incidents and hand out punishment following matches.
“This is a clear act of simulation, attempting to deceive the referee, who, in fairness, did not buy the dive,” he said. “However, referee John Brooks, at this point, should have issued the appropriate sanction of a yellow card. If referees are not going to apply a sanction for these incidents, we will continue to see growth.
“I will continue to say that, where no sanction is applied, I would like an independent review panel to investigate and review these acts and issues retrospective action.”
Madueke ultimately went on to score Arsenal’s only goal of the night, although Lewis-Potter’s equaliser ensured that the spoils were shared in west London. Both teams will now turn their attention to the FA Cup fourth round, as Arteta’s side prepare to host Wigan Athletic, while Brentford travel to Macclesfield on Monday.