Arsenal Fans Launch Petition Against Referee Chris Kavanagh After Declan Rice’s Red Card
The drama continues to unfold after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday, with fans still fuming over Declan Rice’s second yellow card and subsequent red card. The decision has sparked a heated debate, with many questioning the referee’s judgment.
Rice was shown the red card for delaying the restart after a coming together with Brighton defender Joel Veltman. However, some fans have pointed out that the ball was moving when Veltman went to strike it, making it an illegal free kick. The Premier League Match Centre Twitter account explained the decision, stating that the referee issued a second yellow card to Rice for delaying the restart.
But was it really a fair call? Rice himself admitted that the decision was correct by law, but believed it to be harsh. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta agreed, stating that the referee’s decision was "amazing" at this level.
The controversy has sparked a petition among Arsenal fans, calling for referee Chris Kavanagh to be suspended. The petition, titled "Justice for Arsenal: Suspend Chris Kavanagh," has garnered 47 signatures so far. While it’s a long way off from reaching the 100,000 signatures needed to be debated in Parliament, it’s clear that fans are passionate about the issue.
The petition reads: "The English Premier League holds a global reputation for its high standard of refereeing; such haphazard decisions tarnish this image and endanger fair competition, affecting not only team results but also leaving millions of fans heartbroken. We urge the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to institute stringent action against Chris Kavanagh."
The call for action is clear: fans want to see stricter refereeing standards and consequences for officials who make questionable decisions. It’s a message that resonates with many, and one that could have a significant impact on the sport.
So, what do you think? Should Chris Kavanagh be suspended for his role in Rice’s red card? Let us know in the comments!
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