Broadcaster Richard Keys has now given his verdict on Declan Rice’s recent sending off.
There has been plenty of controversy surrounding Chris Kavanagh’s decision to show Declan Rice a red card during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday.
The referee has had his defenders and his critics. Gary Lineker feels Rice was harshly punished.
Meanwhile, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher defended Kavanagh.
Mikel Arteta will still have to cope with the consequences of the official’s decision though, as he will now be without the England international when Arsenal contest the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur next time out.
Given Mikel Merino will also be sidelined for this grudge match, Arteta needs to concoct a new midfield solution.
Richard Keys makes Declan Rice claim
Taking to X to share his thoughts on the incident, Richard Keys didn’t pull any punches.
The presenter said: “I believe it was an offence. He stopped the game being re-started. He knew what he was doing. He tried to be clever & got caught. He was daft. There was no need. Arteta knows it as well. Justice was done.”
Of course, Rice did nudge the ball off the field, preventing the Seagulls from taking a quick free-kick, but it is pertinent that the ball was still in motion at the time.
Arsenal fans were furious that Rice was dismissed for such a minor infraction, especially as a number of very similar incidents passed without interference from Kavanagh in the very same game.
This is not the first time Keys has taken aim at Rice either, having previously called the former West Ham United man out for being overly enthusiastic with his celebrations.
Arsenal fans hit back at Richard Keys
A number of Arsenal fans on X took issue with Keys’ comments.
One said: “Justice was done??? It was a free kick in a not dangerous area of the pitch during game of association football, where the player in question gently rolled a rolling ball to the side with his foot. Whereupon he was kicked by a player from the opposing team who was pretending to take the aforementioned free kick.”
Another stated: “There were lots of examples over the weekend of players delaying free kicks only one was booked.”
One claimed: “The ball was stopped on the place of the freekick, the brighton player kicks the ball, Rice knocked it out for a throw in. Where is a yellow card, why do the rules of the game not apply to the brighton player kicking the ball before Rice kicks it?”
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