Premier League panel unanimously backs referee's decision on Gabriel's collision with Emi Martinez

The Premier League's Key Match Incident Panel (KMI) has officially backed referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision not to dismiss Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes following his collision with Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez during the Gunners' 2-1 victory.

The incident occurred in the fifth minute when, amidst a scramble in the box, the Brazilian’s boot connected with Martinez’s head. The referee missed the extent of the contact due to the density of players, and the VAR team opted not to intervene, sparking widespread debate.

The five-member KMI panel issued a unanimous verdict, citing the congested nature of the penalty area as a key mitigating factor. They concluded that the action did not constitute violent conduct or serious foul play, as multiple players were actively challenging for the loose ball.

Gabriel is extremely lucky to stay on the pitch. When you see a replay and they slow it down, he’s gone way over the top. Wayne Rooney

The ruling preserves Gabriel's record of never receiving a straight red card in his Arsenal career. The result allowed Mikel Arteta’s squad to maintain their perfect start to the new campaign, while Chelsea’s defensive struggles continue under Xabi Alonso, with the club now failing to keep a clean sheet for 20 consecutive league games.