Declan Rice escaped a red card after kicking out at Brighton's Malick Yalcouyé during Arsenal's 3-0 defeat at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, a decision that drew sharp criticism from Manchester City fans and others on social media.
Referee's decision sparks controversy
Referee Darren England showed Rice a yellow card for the incident, which occurred in the final seconds of the match after Yalcouyé barged into the England midfielder. Brighton players and supporters appealed for a red card, but England blew the full-time whistle immediately after issuing the booking.
Goals from Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas, and Chema Andres gave the Seagulls a deserved victory, ending Arsenal's winning start to the season. The result saw the Gunners lose top spot in the Premier League, with Manchester City ahead on goal difference before their clash against Sunderland on Sunday.
Fan reactions and comparisons to Foden
Some fans, particularly those supporting Manchester City, likened Rice's kick to Phil Foden's foul on Bruno Fernandes in last weekend's Manchester derby, which resulted in a red card. One supporter posted on X: 'Declan Rice kicks out at a Brighton player: yellow card. Foden pushes [Fernandes] away with his feet: straight red. Pro Ref corruption strikes again!'
Another wrote: 'This is a premeditated foul from Declan Rice, and he escapes a red card. He deliberately kicks Yalcouye.' A third added: 'Declan Rice this is honestly disgusting. Behaving like a real sore loser. 100 per cent a red card.'
Bent's assessment of the incident
Former England striker Darren Bent, speaking on Premier League Productions, was shocked by Rice's actions but not entirely convinced it warranted a sending off. 'I like the bar the referees have set, so not everything's a red card,' Bent said.
'But this is how you know Arsenal are rattled because he kicks out but it's almost on the thigh really, so it's not really a blatant kick out. But we've not seen Declan Rice do that. He's always calm, calculated, always does the right things.'
Bent added: 'But in that situation there, I think it was just a culmination of the way they played, getting beat by a better side. They were very much second-best in that midfield battle, chasing shadows. Out of sync, they didn't really have any control in the game. I think that one little moment almost summed up the whole of Arsenal's performance.'
No suspension for Rice
With no red card, Rice avoids suspension for Arsenal's first game after the international break, which is at home against Leeds United on October 10. The incident capped a frustrating afternoon for Rice, who was visibly furious with his teammates throughout the match.
