Man City v Arsenal

[Paul_10]

I can’t see that it was excessive force or brutality. Although I usually always like to compare apples with apples and oranges with oranges, as to hair pulls (not this incident of course), which are not usually excessive force, but are seen by the PL/FA etc as an act of brutality (at the moment anyway) & I can live with that.

If that type of contact was with the hand in a forward movement, it be an automatic red card like it was with Gueye's slap which let face it was not excessive force(I doubt Keane had a red slap mark on his face) but it's still a red card.

If Taylor only gives a yellow card in a World Cup game for a similar incident, that would probably be his World Cup finished.

 

[DavidObs]

If that type of contact was with the hand in a forward movement, it be an automatic red card like it was with Gueye's slap which let face it was not excessive force(I doubt Keane had a red slap mark on his face) but it's still a red card.

If Taylor only gives a yellow card in a World Cup game for a similar incident, that would probably be his World Cup finished.

Yes, you are probably right if it happens in the World Cup, or any other FIFA/UEFA competition, but they have different interpretations on many things, including handball. Same Laws/different interpretation.

 

[betterlatethannever]

I am sure this type of action has been a red card for at least the last 20 years?

Any movement from the head forwards to the other player has been a red card and I am sure until yesterday this was universally seen to be a red? Even with less forward force people have been sent off with pundits suggesting that players know any movement and you're being sent off.

Just not yesterday obviously! I do not necessarily mind it - but as you say, I would 99% of the time be sending someone off for this, so now the referee in the most high profile game of the season and probably most watched hasn't, it makes it harder for me!

 

[DavidObs]

I am sure this type of action has been a red card for at least the last 20 years?

Any movement from the head forwards to the other player has been a red card and I am sure until yesterday this was universally seen to be a red? Even with less forward force people have been sent off with pundits suggesting that players know any movement and you're being sent off.

Just not yesterday obviously! I do not necessarily mind it - but as you say, I would 99% of the time be sending someone off for this, so now the referee in the most high profile game of the season and probably most watched hasn't, it makes it harder for me!

I can’t say that I recall too many similar incidents in the PL over the past 20 years when both players put their heads together with only 1 making an additional forward movement. However, I can truly understand it being harder for you to send off in same circumstances - though perhaps same could be said for players/club reps using offensive, insulting or abusive language.

 

[BCMilan]

Red for me. As you say, if you don't give red's for those then all you're doing is encouraging players to act injured. And yes, they've just made it that much harder for those of us at grassroots

 

[bester]

Certainly more violent than any hair pull we've seen punished and striking has a far lower threshold

 

[RefereeX]

Certainly more violent than any hair pull we've seen punished and striking has a far lower threshold

I don't necessarily dispute the first half, but it's not striking. Contact was made mutually, before Gabriel pushed his head forwards.

 

[deusex]

Interesting here some are saying it should be a red card, but with the United Hair pull it shouldn't have been one? There was probably less force in Gabriel's head movement than the hair pull.

That is a hot take indeed.
I don't want to be rude but you are 100% wrong.

 

[Tealeaf]

I think, rightly or wrongly, what saved Gabriel was the fact both players went head to head, then Gabriel pushed his forwards making it more of a push with the head, than a headbutt as such. I think you're correct about Haaland saving him by not going down, but I don't hate a caution in that individual scenario.

I’m on board with that having now seen it myself. On the original image I couldn’t see why it was only a caution.

No mutual contact and he’s walking for certain - feigned butting or not. An argument is feasible that the forward motion comes as part do the “rutting stags” (beloved of tutors everywhere) and Haaland moving away from contact.

Equally a plausible argument that infield decision is never being overturned here. Red sticks, caution sticks.

 

[bloovee]

I’m on board with that having now seen it myself. On the original image I couldn’t see why it was only a caution.

No mutual contact and he’s walking for certain - feigned butting or not. An argument is feasible that the forward motion comes as part do the “rutting stags” (beloved of tutors everywhere) and Haaland moving away from contact.

Equally a plausible argument that infield decision is never being overturned here. Red sticks, caution sticks.

You mean it was Haaland's fault for moving away?

 

[one]

Haaland has to bear some responsibility for initiating the head to head contact in the first place. But credit to him for not cheating by going down. Also I understand that the initial contact doesn't justify the head forward movement by Gabriel.

I'm on the fence in terms of yellow or red for Gabriel. But would have definitely picked orange if we had the option.

 

[Tealeaf]

You mean it was Haaland's fault for moving away?

How have you arrived at that?

Two opposing forces, one removed, the other continues motion.

In this case, both pushing forwards, Haaland steps away removing his resistance and there’s nothing to stop Gabriel moving forwards anymore. Simple physics.

 

[ladbroke8745]

How have you arrived at that?

Two opposing forces, one removed, the other continues motion.

In this case, both pushing forwards, Haaland steps away removing his resistance and there’s nothing to stop Gabriel moving forwards anymore. Simple physics.

Agree to an extent.
I think Gabriel does actually make a more forceful push rather than a "coming together" act at the end to maybe push him away but as Haaland had already, split second earlier, moved away it makes it look worse.
However, looks are what we need to judge on, not what may be going through their mind. The fact is, he has made the motion of head towards Haaland in an aggressive manner.

 

[Archer]

“Motion of head” makes me laugh far more than it should. Chance would be a fine thing.