Mark Clattenburg reveals whether Declan Rice should've got a red card against Brighton
Declan Rice lost his cool at the end of Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Premier League champions were nowhere near their best at the Amex. They were completely outplayed and outfought by the Seagulls and deservedly lost the game.
No player will ever be happy with a performance like the one Arsenal produced, especially not a winner like Rice. His frustration got the better of him in the final moments of the game.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has now issued his verdict on the incident.
Mark Clattenburg says Declan Rice should have got a red card vs Brighton
Declan Rice was in possession of the ball in one of the final actions of the game.
After he made a pass forward, Brighton substitute Malick Yalcouye appeared to push him from behind. The Arsenal midfielder was clearly not happy with that.
Rice turned around angrily and retaliated with what looked like a kick. It was clearly a frustrated reaction to what had just happened, and the home fans reacted with anger.
“Off, off, off,” could be heard at the Amex as home supporters urged the referee to show Rice a straight red card. But he was only cautioned with a yellow.
Arsenal Insider spoke exclusively to Clattenburg to ask his view about the incident, and the former referee declared that Rice should’ve been given his marching orders.
He said: “There is no doubt that Declan Rice should be sent off for kicking Malick Yalcouye off the ball. This was a premeditated act and makes a clear movement to kick his opponent while not attempting to play the ball.
“The kick had clear malice, and the VAR should have recommended a review. The game ended just after the incident, and I do not believe this was a good moment while the VAR was checking the incident.
“Even though the game ended, the VAR should have recommended a review and sent Rice off for Violent Conduct.”
Could Declan Rice receive a retrospective ban after avoiding a red card?
Rice got away with a red card there, but some Arsenal fans have since been wondering if he could face a retrospective ban for his actions.
Arsenal Insider asked Clattenburg the same question, and he said: “As VAR is in operation, there has never been a retrospective ban for a player, as it’s been seen by the match officials even if we agree it’s clearly wrong.”
So, it is extremely unlikely that the incident will be revisited. Rice should consider himself lucky for getting away with it, but he should be available to play when Arsenal take on Leeds after the international break.
Previously, Paul Scholes criticised Rice for being too emotional on the pitch. This is another clear example of that, and it is something he should control a lot better going forward.