Premier League confirm reason why Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton after fan outrage on social media
The Premier League's Match Centre has put out a statement regarding Declan Rice's sending-off in Arsenal's 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. The midfielder received his marching orders early in the second half of the clash against the Seagulls at the Emirates.
In a post on Twitter, they explained:
"The referee issued a second yellow card to Declan Rice for delaying the restart."
The incident occurred in the 48th minute when Brighton won a free-kick in their own half. Defender Joel Veltman stepped up to take it, but Rice seemed to move the ball away before the Dutchman could kick the ball.
He was already on a yellow after a rash foul on Veltman in the first half and received his second of the night. The red card means Rice will miss the side's next clash, the North London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur after the international break.
Arsenal fans had expressed their frustration with the incident with many questioning the referee's decision to send the 25-year-old off. Replays showed Veltman kicking Rice just after he had knocked the ball away. Gunners fans were also quick to point out that Brighton forward Joao Pedro had committed a similar infringement in the first half but wasn't penalised.
Mikel Arteta's side seemed to be in control of the game. They took the lead through Kai Havertz in the first half after the German lobbed home a smart effort. However, after going down to 10 men, they seemed to lose their momentum, and the visitors began to exert control. Pedro scored the equaliser nine minutes later as the game ended 1-1.
Mikel Arteta reacts to controversial Declan Rice red card after Arsenal's draw against Brighton
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lamented the inconsistency of the refereeing in the Premier League following Declan Rice's red card against Brighton. The midfielder was sent off for kicking the ball away before a free-kick for the Seagulls.
Arteta told TNT Sports:
“None, like always (about any explanation for the send-off). If it (bookings) happens throughout the game in a consistent way, it is fine, but it didn’t. It is the inconsistency.”
The manager was referring to a similar incident in the first half when Brighton attacker Joao Pedro had booted the ball away before a Gunners dead-ball but received no punishment.
Rice's red card proved costly, as Arsenal squandered two points in the stalemate. While it's early in the title race, the result could prove costly for a Gunners side that have been chasing Manchester City for the past two seasons.