Gabriel escaped a straight red card after headbutting Erling Haaland during the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
The pair clashed throughout the match at the Etihad Stadium and tensions reached boiling point late on after Gabriel felled Haaland.
The Norwegian was not happy with the Arsenal defender and pushed him following the foul. The two went head-to-head and Gabriel appeared to headbutt his opponent.
Anthony Taylor decided Gabriel's actions were not worthy of a red card and VAR agreed. The Premier League later released a statement saying his actions were deemed not to be excessively aggressive or violent.
Dermont Gallagher's Take on Gabriel Headbutt Causes a Stir
Gabriel and Erling Haaland
Gabriel has been condemned for his actions, with many believing he should have been shown a straight red card.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher disagrees with that take, though. The Irishman, who officiated in England's top tier from 1992-2007, defended Gabriel and the decision on Sky Sports. He said:
"It was a very fair outcome, both of them were aggressive, throughout the whole game, it just epitomised what was at stake.
“Gabriel is very unwise what he does, it is not the cleverest thing to do and he runs a risk, but if you look, he actually goes does the front of him and not through him, he does not headbutt him.
“But he is very, very lucky that Haaland was very, very responsible because if he hits the deck, the whole landscape changes and the referee has a different situation to deal with.”
Dermot Gallagher Called Out by Fellow Ex-Premier League Referee
Gabriel and Erling Haaland
Gabriel and Erling Haaland
Jay Bothroyd did not agree with Gallagher's take. The former Premier League striker said: "Gabriel was lucky - when we look at the rules, it is violent conduct if you put your head into someone's face. That was violent conduct and we have seen other people get sent off for that kind of movement towards someone's head.
"What Haaland said is absolutely right - if he goes down holding his face there, he is going to get a red card and then he is banned for three matches."
Gallagher has also been called out by fellow ex-Premier League referee, Keith Hackett. Taking to X, the ex-PGMOL chief wrote: "I find it difficult to understand why a former referee defends the action of this player who used his head against his opponent."
In another post, he said: "Nothing to see here! Gabriel must have been giving Haaland a kiss on the cheek."
One fan sarcastically called Gallagher an 'idiot' and a 'great example to young players playing park football.' Justifying his own stance, Hackett replied: "It is for that reason I stated that this was a red card offence. The firm line in the sand like many things the PGMOL do has shifted. Life for grassroots referees made more difficult. The players forehead moved down the face of his opponent. Red card for me."
And after another supporter called Gallagher a 'puppet' who 'defends the indefensible', Hackett replied: "This just had to be a red card. How can you condone this action?"
Haaland himself has also said Gabriel should have been sent off. He said: "If I go down like any other guy, it's a red card. It's not something I would do. My father taught me to stay on your feet.
"That's the reality. Should I have gone down? Maybe. Then it would've been easier. But I didn't and I got a yellow card. I don't know why."