In most situations, Arsenal would be disappointed to finish a Premier League game at home to Brighton without taking all three points.
Saturday’s draw could still be considered a fine performance, however, as the Red Devils were forced to play with a man down for most of the second half, with Declan Rice sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh for a second yellow card shortly after half-time.
In the 49th minute, Rice fouled Joel Veltman near the corner flag. As the Brighton player quickly went to restart play, he appeared to miss the ball, chased and hit the Arsenal midfielder, who collapsed to the ground.
But shortly after the referee calmed the ensuing brawl, he showed Rice his second yellow card of the game, surprising not only the Arsenal man but also the players and fans who all looked baffled. Jugo Mobile It makes sense of the decision that left the Gunners shorthanded for almost 40 minutes en route to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Why did Declan Rice get a red card against Brighton?
Already booked just before the break, Arsenal midfielder Rice was sent for an early shower shortly after the restart.
In the 48th minute, Rice was booked for a foul in Brighton territory for dragging Veltman to the ground. Although it may have initially appeared that he had been booked for this foul – which would have been ridiculous, as it was just a routine offence – this was not in fact the case.
Rice was shown a second yellow card for delaying the restart of the match. Veltman rolled the ball towards the Arsenal midfielder, who had his back turned. The ball hit the back of Rice’s heel and Veltman then headed for a quick free-kick. Rice pushed the ball away with the outside of his right boot at the last moment, leading to Veltman striking the England international’s leg.
According to the official laws of the game, referees are instructed to caution players who “kick or carry the ball away” from a designated free kick.
Premier League Match Centre, the new X account designed to provide official reasoning for refereeing decisions in the Premier League, confirmed that this was the caseposting “The referee has given Declan Rice a second yellow card for delaying the restart.”
#ARSBHA – 48′
The referee gave Declan Rice a second yellow card for delaying the restart.
— Premier League Match Center (@PLMatchCentre) August 31, 2024
Why was Declan Rice’s red card controversial?
Many aspects of the red card issued by referee Chris Kavanagh have been questioned by fans and the media.
By law, Kavanagh probably has the opportunity to defend himself. For that reason, VAR probably can’t take action to overturn the decision, because there is a justification. Especially in the current context, where the league has emphasized the idea that a “referee’s decision” must have every chance of standing. VAR can only intervene in the event of a “clear and obvious error,” meaning that video referees have little room to maneuver.
But at the same time it defies every aspect of sporting common sense.
“Look, anyone who’s played football understands what happened there,” said former England striker Peter Crouch, who worked as a pundit for TNT Sport“Veltman was simply playing the role of the referee. He had absolutely no intention of trying to throw a 60-yard pass to anyone. He was literally trying to put Declan Rice in trouble, he knew he had a yellow card and that was the difference in the game.”
“That said, Declan Rice stole the ball and legally that’s a red card. There’s a bit of a clean-up and Veltman is playing the role of referee but he probably has to go because he stole the ball.”
This rule has been much more widely applied in recent years, with referees rightly taking action against players who kick the ball to allow their team to reorganise and prevent quick restarts. However, this usually involves the player kicking the ball hard or throwing it halfway down the pitch or into the stands, clearly delaying the start of the match.
That wasn’t really the case here, as Rice barely cleared the ball. Sure, he probably knows what he’s doing, but is he really delaying the game in any way? Veltman couldn’t have legally taken that free kick in the first place, as the ball was still moving. In the end, the decision leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
To add fuel to the fire, Brighton playmaker Joao Pedro was not punished for his 30-yard kick earlier in the game, preventing Arsenal from taking a quick free-kick in the 17th minute.
What did Mikel Arteta say about Declan Rice’s red card?
Speaking to TNT Sport afterwards, Arteta highlighted the inconsistencies in Kavanagh’s application of the law on delayed restarts and also insisted Veltman should have seen red for his violent involvement in the flashpoint.
“If it happens throughout the game consistently, that’s good, but it didn’t happen,” he said. “In the first half there were several chances where they kicked the ball and nothing happened.
“It’s inconsistency, especially because it’s in an area where it’s not critical. And, on top of that, if you make that decision, you also have to give a red card. If we have to play with 10 men, they [should] You have to play with 10 because it’s a red card for Veltman.
What did Brighton boss Fabian Hurezler say about Declan Rice’s red card?
Unsurprisingly, new Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler backed the referee’s decision to send off Declan Rice when asked about the game-changing moment after the match.
“Clear red card,” Hurzeler told reporters after the game. “He shoots the ball. If Arsenal think otherwise, there are now two opinions.”
Yet when presented with the entirely reasonable idea of inconsistent refereeing in relation to the Joao Pedro incident in the first half, he backed his player.
“You can’t compare the two situations,” Hurzeler retorted. “Please don’t compare the two situations.”
Which games will Declan Rice miss due to suspension?
Declan Rice, who was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, will be suspended for one Premier League match.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, the Gunners will be without their midfielder for the upcoming north London derby against arch-rivals Tottenham on September 15 after the international break.
