The Verdict is In: Declan Rice’s Red Card Declared Fair and Square by Independent Panel
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, 25, was infamously sent off for rolling the ball away in a non-competitive zone, leading to a lot of controversy in the premier league match against Brighton.
The incident unfolded in the 49th minute with Rice already on a yellow card. His actions ultimately led to the referee showing him a second yellow and subsequently a red card.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wasn’t satisfied with the referee’s call, expressing his frustration:
"I was amazed. Amazed, amazed, amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be," said Arteta.
However, the decision has been reaffirmed by the Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel, which has deemed that Rice’s actions were deliberate and impactful. The unanimous decision from the panel included three former players or coaches, one Premier League representative, and one from the referees’ body, Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL).
Image: Getty Images
Although Rice is still expected to feature for England against Finland on Tuesday, he is set to miss Arsenal’s trip to Tottenham this weekend. He’ll likely be back in the fold come September 19 for their Champions League opener against Atalanta.
The fallout from this red card aside, it serves as an important reminder to players across the league that even trivial actions can lead to disciplinary action.
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