DECLAN RICE was left reeling after a controversial sending-off in Arsenal’s clash with Brighton.
The English representative received a yellow card in the first half for a wild attack.
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Declan Rice is sent off for kicking the ball in the second half of Arsenal’s clash with BrightonCredit: TNT SPORTS
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The England midfielder deflected the ball away before being booted in the shin by Joel VeltmanCredit: TNT SPORTS
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Rice went down in agony and expected Veltman to receive a yellow Credit: TNT SPORTS
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He was stunned when referee Chris Kavanagh showed him a second yellow Credit: REX
And an act of petulance just minutes after the restart saw referee Chris Kavanagh send him off for an early swim.
Rice received a second yellow for clearing the ball after Brighton were awarded a free kick in their own half in the 49th minute.
He kicked the ball in a fraction of a second before Joel Veltman went to kick it into the park and the Brighton player made contact with an Arsenal player instead.
Rice went down in agony and expected the Dutch defender to receive a yellow card when he got up.
But Kavanagh stunned the Emirates faithful – and Rice – by deciding to show the midfielder a second yellow card.
The former West Ham captain could not believe it and was speechless.
And he is not the only one confused by Kavanagh’s decision.
One Topnik fan wrote on X: “Joao Pedro kicked the ball in the first half and there is no yellow card.
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“Rice gets sent off for the same offense after being subjected to violent conduct.”
Another said: “I saw Joao Pedro throw the ball away in the first half when everyone was shouting for it and the referee ignored it.
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“Declan Rice has just been sent off for a tackle in the 2nd half.”
And another said: “How does Declan Rice get a red card for being kicked????”
One noted: “A Brighton player kicks the ball 30 yards after taking a throw-in.
“Nothing. Declan Rice kicks the ball a yard and gets a boot in the process. Second yellow card.”
Smoky ghats
Topnik superfan and Sun columnist Piers Morgan was also stunned by the decision
He wrote: “Who the hell was that?
“Declan Rice sent off for being tackled? Worst red card decision I’ve ever seen.”
Sometime late Piers still hasn’t gotten over the incident.
He tweeted: “Still furious about this… Declan Rice sent off for being brutally tackled from behind.
“It is no exaggeration to say that this was the worst red card decision in the history of professional football.”
Things went from bad to worse for the Gunners nine minutes later when Pedro equalized with a strike in the penalty area.
The second half proved to be a pulsating affair, although neither side managed to find a winner and the score remained 1-1.
Rice’s stupidity will see him miss the north London derby against Tottenham fortnight on Sunday.
Arteta’s example
Arsenal manager Arteta referred to the consistency of officiating in the match.
He said: “The decision is a complete game changer.
“If it happens throughout the game in a consistent way, that’s fine, but it didn’t happen.
“In the first half there were a few opportunities where they cleared the ball and nothing happened. It’s inconsistency.
“Especially because it’s in a non-critical area. You called it, then you have to give a red card.
“We had to play with 10. If we had to play with 10 then they had to play with 10 because it’s a red card for Veltman.”
When asked if he had received an explanation for Rice’s exclusion, he added: “No, none — as always.”
Pedro eventually received a yellow card in the 96th minute after an altercation with Kavanagh.
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Source: HIS Education