New Declan Rice red card verdict given after Arsenal star lashed out in Brighton defeat

Declan Rice risked a red card against Brighton(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

Arsenal have been handed a new red card verdict on Declan Rice's act against Brighton and Hove Albion. In stoppage time at the Amex Stadium, frustration got the better of the Gunners midfielder.

He kicked out at Brighton ace Yankuba Minteh. The incident was seen by referee Darren England, but he only deemed it to be worthy of a yellow card for the Gunners ace rather than a straight red.

Many felt the England international was lucky not to be dismissed for the incident, two years after he was sent off for two bookings against the Seagulls. After looking at the incident again on Sky Sports Ref Watch, a new verdict has been reached.

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Ex-Premier League official Dermot Gallagher said: "I think it's petulant. What you've got to remember is that it's got to be deemed violent conduct.

"Is that brutal or malicious? I think not. He runs a risk, there's no doubt about that. For me, that's not an act of violence. It's a very unwise thing to do, but the referee got it right."

Ex-QPR forward Jay Bothroyd compared the incident to Phil Foden's red card in the Manchester Derby last week, prompted by Bruno Fernandes kicking out at him. Bothroyd said: "Why is Bruno Fernandes' not violent conduct last week?

"I think if Foden goes, Fernandes should go too. I don't think this is worthy of a red card. If that was a counter-attack, that would be seen as a professional foul.

Declan Rice kicked out - but avoided a red card

"He's just clipping his heels. If he got sent off though, most of us would be asking why is that a red card? I didn't think Foden was a red card last week, and I don't think this one was a red card."

That view is in contrast to another ex-Premier League referee in Keith Hackett. Speaking to Football Insider, he said: ""Declan Rice, in a retaliatory action off the ball, kicks his opponent.

"It's fortunate that referee Darren England took a lenient view and saw this as an act under the banner of reckless rather than violent conduct. Is the bar too high at pro-ref?"

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