VAR accusation launched over Gabriel headbutt on Erling Haaland and refusal to give red card

VAR accusation launched over Gabriel headbutt on Erling Haaland and refusal to give red cardArsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes was only booked following a clash of heads with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland during the crunch Premier League title showdown on SundayCommentsSportMark Wakefield Sport Central Audience Writer09:40, 20 Apr 2026Updated 09:41, 20 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesGabriel of Arsenal clashes with Erling Haaland of Manchester City(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)Alan Shearer has delivered a critical verdict of VAR following the clash between Gabriel Magalhaes and Erling Haaland during Manchester City’s win over Arsenal, accusing the officials of not implementing the rules properly.‌City claimed a 2-1 victory over the Gunners in the Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Haaland scored the winning goal for City, who also had Rayan Cherki on the scoresheet, who had his effort cancelled out in the first half after Kai Havertz closed down Gianluigi Donnarumma's clearance.‌As the match reached the final 10 minutes of the game, there was a heated exchange between Haaland and Gabriel, where the Arsenal defender appeared to push his head towards the City striker.‌READ MORE: Mikel Arteta handed Arsenal sack verdict after Man City deliver title blowREAD MORE: Arsenal handed new Gabriel red card verdict after Erling Haaland commentsReferee Anthony Taylor issued both players yellow cards following the incident, with the decision being confirmed by VAR, which led to City boss Pep Guardiola also being booked following his protests.Shearer has now given his verdict on VAR and the lack of a red card for Gabriel, where the Newcastle legend was critical of the decision.“The VAR sent the referee to the screen last week in the Man United game [vs Leeds] for a tiny tug of the hair, if anything, and [Lisandro] Martinez is sent off for violent conduct,” Shearer said on the Rest is Football podcast.‌“Yet you look at Gabriel, who shoved his he...