Premier League panel make 'unanimous' decision on Declan Rice's controversial red card
- Premier League's Independent Key Match Incidents Panel review Declan Rice red card
- Midfielder sent off for second bookable offence in Arsenal's draw with Brighton
- Rice's dismissal seen as harsh by wider public but correct by panel
By Sean Walsh
Declan Rice was right to be sent off during Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the international break, according to the Premier League's Independent Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI).
The midfielder received a second yellow card with the Gunners a goal to the good at the Emirates Stadium, and the decision swung the game back in the Seagulls' favour.
While on a booking, Rice blocked Brighton's Joel Veltman from taking a quick free kick by lightly rolling the ball away with his boot. Though Veltman's wild swing of the boot caught Rice with force, the Arsenal man was the one cautioned for preventing the free kick from being taken and so was sent off.
According to ESPN, the KMI determined: "Rice knows what he's doing, it's a gentle touch but once the referee sees it, he has no choice."
The KMI is made up of five people, including three former Premier League players or coaches, an official from the Premier League and one from refereeing body PGMOL. On this occasion, all five representatives decided Rice was right to receive a second yellow card from referee Chris Kavanagh.
Rice will now miss out on Arsenal's trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby this weekend, giving Mikel Arteta another selection headache.
The Gunners are already without summer signing Mikel Merino after he picked up a shoulder injury in one of his first training sessions with his new club, while captain Martin Odegaard has returned from international duty with an ankle problem and is currently walking with the aid of crutches.
Arteta could hand a debut to Raheem Sterling following his deadline day loan move from Chelsea.
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