Declan Rice sent off in Brighton draw, referee explains decision

In a recent Premier League match, Declan Rice received a red card during Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Brighton, marking the first time in his career he has been sent off. The incident occurred when Rice, already on a yellow card, kicked the ball away as Brighton's Joel Veltman prepared to take a free kick. Referee Chris Kavanagh stated he had 'no choice' but to issue a second yellow card due to Rice's actions, which delayed the game's restart. The VAR audio revealed Kavanagh's frustration with the decision, as he expressed to Arsenal's captain Martin Odegaard that Rice had put him in a difficult position. Kavanagh emphasized that Rice's deliberate act of kicking the ball away warranted the red card, despite his personal dislike for the decision. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) supported Kavanagh's ruling, reinforcing the importance of players respecting the restart of play. Howard Webb, the PGMOL's chief operation officer, reiterated the message sent to players regarding the consequences of interfering with the ball after the whistle. He acknowledged that Rice's actions were clear violations of this directive. Following the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his disbelief at the decision, particularly in light of a similar incident involving Brighton's Joao Pedro, who was not cautioned for kicking the ball away earlier in the game. Webb conceded that Pedro should have received a yellow card, highlighting inconsistencies in officiating during the match.