A new angle of Declan Rice’s controversial red card during the match against Brighton has emerged.
Rice was dismissed with a second yellow card during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, meaning he will miss the upcoming North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal supporters and manager Mikel Arteta have criticized referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision. A new video angle has intensified the debate, revealing Brighton striker Danny Welbeck informing Kavanagh, “it’s a second yellow!”
According to Premier League rules, Welbeck should have been booked for urging the referee to issue a card to another player, but this rule was often overlooked last season, which is why Welbeck wasn’t penalized.
Rice received his first yellow card for a late challenge on Joel Veltman. After the game, Rice expressed his disbelief, stating, “I was shocked. I think you could see in my face I was shocked. I didn’t sprint back in front of him (Veltman) and smash the ball away. I just touched the ball with the outside of my foot.”
Rice acknowledged the rules, stating, “If you touch the ball away, even slightly, it’s obviously a red card after my challenge in the first half, which I accept was a 50-50 that I didn’t win.”
He continued, “It was tough and harsh, but it’s something I have to move past. This is my first career red card, so I’ve apologized to my teammates and the fans, which I’ve done.”
