‘That is violent conduct!’: BBC pundit rips into officials over controversial Arsenal v Leeds moment

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BBC pundit Pat Nevin has given his reaction to the controversial decision to overturn a red card for Gabriel as Arsenal beat Leeds 1-0 today.

The Brazilian defender was given his marching orders for seemingly kicking out at Patrick Bamford as the game came to a frantic conclusion. A penalty was also given, but VAR overturned the call, ruling Bamford had actually fouled Gabriel and that his reaction only warranted a yellow.

However, Nevin, speaking on BBC Comms for Five Live, believed Gabriel still should have walked, regardless of the overturned foul.

“Apparently that is not violent conduct. If the ball is nowhere near you and you stick both feet into a opponent, that is violent conduct!,” Nevin said on BBC commentary.

Nevin didn’t slam the officials too much and admitted that the call to award the Arsenal defender the free-kick was the right one, but the red card was simply wrong.

“I agree with every single part of the referee’s decision except changing the red card to a yellow card” Nevin added.

The win for Arsenal means they remain top of the pile as Manchester City play Liverpool right now.

TBR’s View: Gabriel Gets Lucky With Red Card

Nevin is bang on the money here really. Sure, the decision was wrong in terms of Bamford fouling the Arsenal man in the first place. But the red card is an odd one.

Yes, Gabriel doesn’t make loads of contact with Bamford but he still lashes out, with two feet, and in most other circumstances, that is a red.

However, sometimes you need a bit of luck at the top of the table and Arsenal got it with this. On another day, they probably lose this game. Gabriel had had a good game prior, too, producing a remarkable block in the 65th minute to deny Leeds an equaliser.