Ex-PGMOL Chief Casts Verdict on Declan Rice’s ‘Violent Action’ vs Brighton

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Declan Rice avoided a red card in Arsenal's humiliating defeat vs Brighton, but was it the right call?

Brighton continued their fine start to the Premier League season, as they beat reigning champions Arsenal 3-0 at the Amex Stadium.

Fabian Hurzeler's side opened the scoring after 30 minutes, with Pascal Gross beating David Raya before Charalampos Kostoulas added to the Seagulls' tally just before half-time, driving a low shot into the bottom corner.

Chema Andres compounded the misery on Arsenal, scoring the third and final goal of the afternoon for Brighton, heading home from a corner.

The gunners suffered their first loss of the Premier League season.

It was a shock defeat for Mikel Arteta's side, but it could've been a lot worse had their star midfielder, Declan Rice , been sent off for an incident in the final moments of the game.

In a frustrating day for Arsenal, tempers were flaring amongst the players who aren't used to being beaten by three goals. Rice appeared to be one of them, getting himself caught up in an altercation with Brighton's Malick Yalcouye.

The incident took place in the final moments of the game, when Rice appeared to be moving up the pitch, before Yalcouye seemed to innocently bump into him.

However, Rice didn't see it that way, as he purposely caught up with Yalcouye and kicked the midfielder in the shin, causing him to fall to the ground.

Rice was only awarded a yellow card for his offence, but players and fans protested about his sending off, regardless of the game being almost finished.

Ex-PGMOL referee Keith Hackett believes that the Arsenal midfielder was very fortunate not to be sent off following the incident, insinuating that Rice had purposely kicked out.

Hackett told Football Insider : "Declan Rice clearly kicked his opponent in an act of retaliation. The incident took place off the ball, and Rice is fortunate that the referee determined the action was reckless and a yellow card."

> "This kick in retaliation is, in law, a violent action, and Rice is fortunate that the referee England did not display a red card. The action by his opponent should have resulted in a yellow card."

Piers had to comment as Brighton fans rubbed salt into the wounds...

Hackett also compared the incident to Phil Foden's sending off last week after his altercation with Bruno Fernandes.

He said: "Given the incident last week involving the Manchester United captain [Bruno Fernandes] where he kicked [Phil] Foden and also received no sanction, Pro Ref has clearly set the bar too high when a player kicks an opponent."

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