The Gunners midfielder picked up a second yellow card after kicking the ball away in the second half
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| Declan Rice was sent off in Arsenal's Premier League match against Brighton. (REUTERS) |
Declan Rice was dismissed from Arsenal’s Premier League match against Brighton after kicking the ball away as Joel Veltman was about to take a free kick for the visitors.
Kai Havertz’s opening goal had sent the Gunners into the lead and the score was 1-0 when Rice was shown the red card early in the second half.
Rice had previously arrived late with a tackle on Veltman in the first half which saw him clip the defender’s leg and earn a first yellow of the match.
Just before the incident, Veltman had been awarded a free kick deep in his own half and looked to take the set piece quickly. Rice nudged the ball away just as the Brighton man took the kick and he followed through to hitting Rice on the leg.
The game was stopped and the referee decided that kicking the ball away was the initial offence and Rice was at fault.
Source: Independent
