Referees’ Chief Howard Webb Says Declan Rice’s Red Card Was a Just Decision.

Declan Rice was involved in a controversial incident during Arsenal’s Premier League match against Brighton. He received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, resulting to a red card. Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), supported the decision made by referee Chris Kavanagh.

Webb explained that the rules clearly state that players who delay the restart of play by kicking the ball away should be booked. Despite the controversy, Webb emphasized that the referees had no choice but to follow the guidelines set out before the season began.

Rice’s red card had a significant impact on the match. With Arsenal reduced to ten men, Brighton capitalized on their numerical advantage, and Joao Pedro scored the equalizer, ending the match in a 1-1 draw. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration with the decision, citing inconsistency in refereeing as a major concern.

The audio of the incident was published on Tuesday in the inaugural installment of the Premier League’s “Match Officials Mic’d Up,” in which veteran referee Howard Webb and former England striker Michael Owen discussed five on-field decisions.

In it, Kavanagh is heard speaking to his assistants over his microphone, stating, “I do not like it, but he is knocked the ball.”

Rice, who had previously been booked, tapped the ball away from Joël Veltman, delaying the taking of a free kick. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed surprise when the England midfielder was given a second yellow card.

Kavanagh was uncomfortable with the decision he had to make but said he was put in a difficult situation.

“Second yellow, for me. I had no choice, he knocked the ball away. As [Veltman’s] about to kick it, he knocks the ball,” he is heard to say. “I have no choice. He’s put me in an awful position. Dec, you need to go I’m afraid.”

Chris Kavanagh himself was not entirely comfortable with the rule. He was heard telling Rice that he “doesn’t like the rule” but had to enforce it.