Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade has declined to take an apology letter from Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes. The alleged offender has refused to admit that he elbowed him on the face during the dramatic 2-1 loss on Sunday in St James Park.
The German striker who had opened the scoring when he headed in the first half, charged Gabriel with dangerous play and bad sportsmanship. Replays on television were made of the Gabriel hitting Woltemade after touching the stopper time goal, yet the referee and the VAR did nothing.
Gabriel allegedly assured that he was pushed prior to the point of contact and apologised to Woltemade at the last whistle, but the gesture was ignored by Woltemade, who said, “The apology is no excuse to act dangerously. It is no football of mine.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he had not witnessed the moment, which overshadowed an exciting game in which Mikel Merino equalised it with a late goal and Gabriel scored the decisive goal to give the Gunners an important comeback win. The scandal contributes to the on-going discussions of physical play and refereeing in the Premier League.
