FA Takes Decision On Gabriel And Jordan Henderson Fracas In Arsenal vs Liverpool

The Football Association, FA have confirmed that they will not be taking any disciplinary action over the incident that occurred between Gabriel Magalhaes and Jordan Henderson in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool at the beginning of the month.

The incident happened after Thiago Alcantara was adjudged to have fouled Gabriel Jesus inside the area, and Bukayo Saka stepped up to convert the game-winning penalty 14 minutes from time.

Before Saka scored the game’s fifth and final goal, Henderson and Gabriel were involved in a heated exchange of words, leading Michael Oliver to speak with Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp on the touchline.

The match was briefly put on hold in added time at the Emirates Stadium when referee Michael Oliver ran over to speak to Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp. It is understood that the discussion was regarding an argument that had happened inside the Liverpool penalty are and involved several players.

The FA later confirmed that they were aware of the incident and would review the details, with recent reports insisting Henderson and Gabriel had presented their cases. Both players have since featured for their clubs and a decision from the football governing body has been announced.

A statement on the FA website read: “Following an investigation into an allegation received by The FA in the Premier League fixture between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC on Sunday 9 October 2022, The FA can confirm that it will not be taking any disciplinary action.

“The FA received a complaint about an incident involving two players in this fixture. As a result of the complaint, The FA conducted a full and thorough investigation.

“The investigation included taking witness statements from the complainant and accused, along with an additional six players who were within proximity of the alleged incident, reviewing multiple angles of video footage, and seeking independent linguistics experts evidence. None of the witnesses heard the alleged comment, and the player accused strenuously denied the allegation throughout.

“Whilst The FA is entirely satisfied that the allegation was made in good faith, it is equally satisfied that there is no case to answer.

“The FA continues to take all allegations received extremely seriously and would encourage anyone who believes that they have been the subject of or witness to abuse to report this through the appropriate channels. The FA receives a number of complaints in any one season and thoroughly investigates each one that it receives. Following consideration of all of the evidence received, not all cases will result in a charge being issued.”

While Arsenal and Liverpool’s players have been cleared over that incident, the Gunners have landed in hot water with the FA following their 1-0 win over Leeds United after Gabriel was initially sent off for a foul on Patrick Bamford.

The red card decision and penalty were both overturned, but Arsenal were charged with failing to ensure their players acted in an orderly fashion, and Monday was the deadline for the Premier League leaders to provide a response.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Klopp was charged with improper conduct for remonstrating with the linesman in his side’s 1-0 victory against Manchester City, and he has reportedly accepted the charge.

The German took his place on the touchline for the Reds’ 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at the weekend but could now be hit with a one-game ban as Liverpool prepare to meet Leeds United on Saturday before traveling to Tottenham Hotspur on October 6.