Editorial Team | 11 September 2024
The Premier League panel has ruled in favor of referee Kavanagh on Declan Rice’s red card during a match between Arsenal and Brighton after criticism by Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans.
The midfield player should have been sent off, the board, which evaluates the Premier League refereeing, decided. Declan Rice was shown red after kicking the ball away following a duel with Seagulls defender Joel Veltman – which earned him a second yellow.
Ahead of Joel Veltman’s attempt to take a free kick in the 49th minute of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton last Saturday, Declan Rice who was already on a booking, kicked the ball away from him. The panel therefore agreed that his actions were “clear, deliberate and impactful” and a second yellow card was correct.
The independent panel, which consists of three former players, a Premier League representative, and a referee, unanimously backed the decision, wrote: “Rice knows what he’s doing – it’s a gentle touch, but once the referee sees it he has no choice.”
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A goal by Kai Havertz had given Arsenal a 1-0 lead at the Emirates, though the red card changed the game and allowed Brighton back into it as Joao Pedro’s equalized the game ten minutes after for a point for a the visiting Brighton.
In addition to Rice’s absence, Arsenal will also be without captain Martin Odegaard this weekend due to an ankle injury he sustained while playing for Norway internationally. This leaves eight players potentially out of the lineup which is a huge blow for the gunners.
