“It’s wasting time so there are now two opinions” - Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler slams Declan Rice’s red card against Arsenal
Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler lambasted English midfielder Declan Rice for his unsportsmanlike antics in his side's 1-1 draw against Arsenal on August 31. The German claimed that the red card received by the 25-year-old was totally 'clear', and that different refereeing decisions 'can't be compared'.
Forward Kai Havertz gave the Gunners the lead (38'), putting them in a commanding position. However, just four minutes into the second half, Rice was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball and delaying the game from a Brighton free-kick. Joao Pedro then equalized in the 58th minute.
Speaking to reporters post-game, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta staunchly defended Rice. He referenced an incident in which Joao Pedro escaped a booking despite smashing the ball away before an Arsenal throw-in in the first half. He called the referees' decision-making inconsistent.
The Spaniard said (via Sportbible):
"In the first-half there were two incidents where nothing happened, then in another critical area, the ball hits Declan's heel, he turns around, doesn't see the player and touches the ball. By law he can make that call but at this level, it's honestly amazing."
In response, Hurzeler laid into Arteta's comments, saying that the situations were totally unconnected and incomparable. The 31-year-old tactician said (via Sportbible):
“For me it's a clear red card. He shoots the ball away, it's wasting time so there are now two opinions. You can't compare these two situations."
The first with Joao is a clear, like a free-kick, static situation and the second one was a dynamic situation. Joao tried to keep the ball in the game, please, don't compare because in football, two situations are never the same in football," Hurzeler concluded.
Arsenal had a high-flying start to their 2024-25 Premier League campaign (two wins in two games). However, they suffered an unexpected set-back against Hurzeler's side at home. Arteta will be hoping for a more comprehensive performance in their next league fixture, a North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on September 15.
"Amazed" - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expresses shock over conflicting refereeing decisions
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his surprise after refereeing inconsistencies erupted in a controversy in his side's 1-1 draw against Brighton.
After the game, the 42-year-old said (via Sportbible):
"We came back after half-time really strong, and the referee made a decision that changed the course of the game. We probably still should have won the game but I was amazed. Amazed, amazed, amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be."
Arsenal will be hoping to return to winning ways in their next Premier League fixture after the international break.