In a Premier League clash on 31 August 2024, where Arsenal took on Brighton, Rice made headlines after receiving a controversial red card. Rice was sent off after he received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away on purpose. But this decision wasn’t straight-off, as it has even left the referee, Chris Kavanagh, in a dilemma. Let’s take a broader look at what actually happened in the incident.
Rice Dismissal: The Moment That Changed the Game
After fouling Brighton defender Joel Veltman, Declan Rice was already on a yellow card. And he made things only worse for him after, by kicking the ball away. As per the rules, this action delayed the restart of play, and this resulted in an automatic yellow card. Now since this was his second yellow card, Rice was sent off. This left Arsenal with only 10 players on the pitch for the rest of the game.
The moment Rice received the red card, it turned out to be the gamechanger for Brighton. In the following few moments, Brighton’s Joao Pedro leveled up the scores, ending the match with a 1-1 scoreline. Making the fans unhappy, even Mikel Arteta questioned the inconsistency of the referee.
Kavanagh’s Regret: Even the Referee Wasn’t Convinced
Now, what adds fire to this controversy is that the referee, Chris Kavanagh, admitted he didn’t like the rule that gave Rice a red card. Even a recording was found in the ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ program of Kavanagh during the match saying, “I don’t like it [the rule], but you’ve kicked the ball away. Dec, you need to go.”.
This honesty from Kavanagh revealed how complex the situations can get. Situations where the referee finds themselves in a dilemma to feel like humans or impose strict actions as per the rulebook. And in this case, he had no other option but to follow the rule book and give Rice a second yellow card.
Leniency for Pedro: A Case of Inconsistent Calls
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta took another moment in the game out loud, criticizing the referees for not giving Brighton forward Joao Pedro his first yellow card of the match for the same offense earlier in the game. He kicked the ball away as well, but Howard Webb, chief of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), considered that he was “given too much benefit of the doubt.”.
Webb admitted that Pedro’s action deserved the same punishment. This made Arsenal fans furious, who felt that justice wasn’t served as the rules weren’t applied evenly. However, the on-field referee believed that Pedro’s act did not delay as much part of the game. So, he escaped the yellow card.
The Laws of the Game: Why Rice Had to Go
Fouls and misconduct Law 12: A player shall be booked for deliberately preventing the ball from going into play by knocking the ball away after the referee’s whistle has stopped the game. Howard Webb explained that he supported the referee’s decision as the rule had been explained before the start of the season.
However, some fans argued by saying that the ball was already rolling when Rice kicked it. But Webb cleared away all the mist by stating it was clear that Rice emphasized on delaying the play. It was his clear intent to slow down the game. And that’s the reason why a second yellow card could not be avoided.
Conclusion
Declan Rice’s red card decision was difficult to accept for the Arsenal fans, especially after the final result. They have to keep in mind that the rules cannot be amended according to the sentiments of the fans. Although the referee agreed to not like the rule, Rice’s action was a foul categorically, as per the rules. And therefore, the final outcome couldn’t be changed.
Even if it was a frustrating game for the Gunners, it has made its words clear. Football is governed by a set of rules, and it will not change according to people disliking it. But now the interesting thing to watch is if the referees book consistently for similar fouls in the tournament ahead.
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