Referee Chris Kavanagh, who issued Arsenal player Declan Rice a red card in the Gunners’ Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion in August, told the Englishman that, while he “doesn’t like the rules,” the midfielder’s actions had left him in a “awful position.”
Rice, who was already on a booking, clashed with Brighton’s Joel Veltman on the touchline in a heated exchange. The England international was found to have kicked the ball away from the defender’s path before having his legs severed from beneath him.
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It proved to be a pricey red card for north London residents. Brighton attacker Joao Pedro ultimately equalized for Fabian Hurzeler’s team against 10-man Arsenal, despite the hosts being in complete control when fully equipped.
Kavanagh Claims Rice Gave Him ‘No Choice’
‘I do not like the rule, but Rice has knocked the ball.’ Reported By Give me Sport.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was “amazed” by Kavanagh’s game-changing decision to dismiss the ex-West Ham United captain, while striker-turned-pundit Peter Crouch chastised the official for his ‘inconsistency’.
The audio of Kavanagh’s post-red card reaction was released on Tuesday night as part of the Match Officials Mic’d Up show, as the Premier League referee, who has been in charge since April 2017, attempted to reason with the home players.
Telling Kai Havertz that he had ‘no choice’ because the midfielder had booted the ball away, Kavanagh was shortly surrounded by a sea of red shirts all looking for explanations.
Speaking to Rice and Martin Odegaard individually, away from the turmoil, Kavanagh informed the latter, “He’s put me in an awful position,” before providing Rice the whole explanation for his choice.
“You did kick the ball. You did. Dec [Declan Rice], you need to leave. I don’t like the rule. But [Rice] fumbled the ball. He kicked the ball. Dec, I’m afraid you have to leave.”
Kavanagh’s decision to show Rice a red card was supported by those in the VAR room at Stockley Park, who said:” Kav [Chris Kavanagh], it’s all checked and cleared. It’s exactly as seen. Exactly as seen.”
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