The Premier League has explained why Arsenal winger Noni Madueke escaped a red card after an apparent headbutt on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister during the Gunners’ 1-0 victory at Anfield on Sunday.
The incident occurred in the closing stages of the second half when Mac Allister fouled Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, sparking a confrontation involving several players.
Madueke moved towards the Argentina international and leaned his head against him before Mac Allister fell to the ground.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber also confronted the Liverpool midfielder during the exchange.
Referee Andy Madley subsequently booked Mac Allister and Timber but did not punish Madueke, despite the Arsenal winger having already received a yellow card earlier in the match.
The incident was reviewed by Video Assistant Referee Stuart Attwell, who upheld the referee’s decision after determining that the contact did not amount to violent conduct.
The Premier League Match Centre explained the decision in a post on X, stating, “The referee’s call of no violent conduct by Madueke on Mac Allister was checked and confirmed by VAR.
“VAR: ‘All of the situations have been checked and cleared. There is some contact as Madueke and Mac Allister square-up. In my opinion, it’s not forceful, not violent, not brutal.'”
However, talkSPORT co-host Ashley Williams criticised Mac Allister’s reaction during a discussion on The Final Word.
Williams said, “No, I’m not having it, I’m not having it.
“Your head has been touched a little bit. If I touch your head now with that much force, you ain’t going down like that.
“By the way, he’s the one that’s going to Odegaard and having a moan about him going down.
“Which was a foul, definitely, and then he’s dropping on the floor. What are we doing now?”
Madueke had earlier been booked in the 55th minute for a cynical foul on Bradley Barcola.
The 24-year-old has never been sent off during his senior club career, with his only red card coming while playing for PSV’s Under-19 side against Almere City in 2019.
Arsenal secured the victory through Kai Havertz’s first-half goal, ending their 14-year wait for a Premier League win at Anfield and moving three points clear at the top of the table.
