KMI panel reach verdict on Gabriel-Chelsea red-card incident

The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel have unanimously backed the decision not to dismiss Gabriel Magalhaes for a kick on Emi Martinez in Arsenal’s win over Chelsea.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) — Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The Premier League have released the results of their latest Key Match Incidents panel assessment, relating to matchweek 3 of the 2026/27 campaign.

This included assessing Arsenal’s home win over Chelsea, and the key talking point of Gabriel Magalhaes’ kick brushing the head of Emi Martinez.

Yet despite the online outrage about a “missed red card”, the KMI panel were unanimous in their backing of the decision not to send off the Arsenal defender.

Morgan Rogers and Reece James of Chelsea react after Martin Odegaard of Arsenal scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) — Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

By a vote of 5-0, the panel determined that the referee made the correct decision. By another 5-0 vote, the panel backed the VAR’s decision not to intervene.

Explaining the decision, the Premier League wrote: “The panel unanimously supported the referee’s call of no red card.

“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.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Kai Havertz of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) — Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The panel also looked at the various offside calls in the match, including Ezri Konsa’s offside for Riccardo Calafiori’s disallowed goal, and the onside call involving Kai Havertz ahead of his goal. Unsurprisingly, they found both of those decisions to be correct.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, reacts with Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) — Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

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