The Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel has unanimously upheld referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision to send off Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice during their 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
The incident occurred in the 49th minute when Rice, already on a yellow card, nudged the ball away from Joel Veltman as the Brighton player prepared to take a free-kick. The panel deemed the action “clear, deliberate and impactful,” concluding that a second yellow card was the appropriate punishment.
“Rice knows what he’s doing,” the panel stated. “It’s a gentle touch, but once the referee sees it he has no choice.”
The red card marked the first dismissal of Rice’s career, and it came at a crucial moment for Arsenal, who were leading 1-0 at the time. João Pedro’s equalizer ultimately earned Brighton a point at the Emirates Stadium.
In addition to the Rice decision, the panel also reviewed the VAR intervention in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal for Liverpool against Manchester United. The goal was initially awarded but was subsequently overturned due to Mohamed Salah’s offside position in the build-up. The panel confirmed that the VAR’s decision was correct.
Out of the 23 decisions reviewed for match week three, only the decision not to give Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes a second yellow card in their draw with Chelsea was deemed incorrect. The panel was divided on this particular incident, with three members supporting the referee’s decision and two arguing that Hughes should have been sent off.
