According to the Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI), Declan Rice was rightfully sent off in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break.
The midfielder drew a second yellow card with the Gunners leading at the Emirates Stadium, and the decision swung the game back in the Seagulls’ advantage. While on a booking, Rice prevented Brighton’s Joel Veltman from taking a quick free kick by delicately sliding the ball away with his boot. Though Veltman’s reckless swing of the boot struck Rice with power, the Arsenal player was reprimanded for preventing the free kick from being taken and was thus sent off.
According to ESPN, the KMI decided that “Rice knows.”
What he’s doing is a delicate touch, but once the referee notices it, he has no choice.” The KMI is made up of five people: three former Premier League players or managers, a Premier League official, and a referee from the PGMOL. On this occasion, all five representatives agreed that Rice was justified to get a second yellow card from referee Chris Kavanagh. Rice will now miss Arsenal’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, adding to Mikel Arteta’s selection headaches.
The Gunners are already without summer addition Mikel Merino, who suffered a shoulder injury during one of his first training sessions with his new club, while captain Martin Odegaard has returned from international duty.
He has an ankle condition and is now using crutches to walk.
Raheem Sterling could make his debut for Arteta after joining on loan from Chelsea on deadline day.
Leave a Reply