No Further Action Against Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli After Referee Incident

Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal will not face further penalties from the Football Association after receiving a yellow card for pushing referee Sam Barrott during the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton. The incident occurred late in the match, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Arsenal. Former referee Mark Halsey criticized the decision, suggesting Martinelli should have been sent off. Manager Mikel Arteta urged his team to regroup after consecutive losses, as they still lead the Premier League and prepare for a Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 6, 2026, 14:16 IST

FA Decision on Martinelli's Yellow Card

Gabriel Martinelli, the forward for Arsenal, will not face any additional penalties from the Football Association following his yellow card for pushing referee Sam Barrott during the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Southampton. This incident occurred late in the match as Arsenal sought a second equalizer, but the FA has confirmed that no further action will be taken since the referee had already issued a caution.

Match Summary

The incident took place after Ross Stewart scored the opening goal for Southampton, which was equalized by substitute Viktor Gyokeres in the second half. However, Shea Charles scored again in the 85th minute, leading to a 2-1 victory for Southampton and eliminating Arsenal from the tournament.

Referee's Decision Under Scrutiny

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has criticized the decision, stating that Martinelli should have received a red card. He remarked, "Gabriel Martinelli displayed complete disrespect towards referee Sam Barrott in that moment. Even though a yellow card was issued, I believe it warranted a red card. You cannot put your hands on a referee, especially to push him aside," Halsey expressed to a media outlet.

He further noted that while Barrott officiated the match well overall, not sending off Martinelli compromised the integrity of refereeing.

Arsenal's Recent Struggles

This defeat adds to Arsenal's frustrations, occurring just two weeks after their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final. These consecutive exits have dashed their hopes for domestic cup success this season.

Manager Mikel Arteta has called on his players to quickly regroup. "We have faced two disappointing results, and it’s crucial that we lift ourselves. We need to demonstrate our capabilities on the pitch, not just in discussions," he stated to a media channel.

Looking Ahead

Despite these setbacks, Arsenal remains in the race for significant titles, currently holding a nine-point lead in the Premier League. They are also preparing for a Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP, having advanced to this stage after defeating Galatasaray 4-1 on aggregate.