John Terry Gives Declan Rice Furious Three-Word Verdict on Controversial Arsenal Red Card
Former Chelsea captain John Terry has voiced his outrage over the controversial red card handed to Arsenal’s Declan Rice during their 1-1 draw against Brighton.
John Terry Slams Referee Over Declan Rice’s Controversial Arsenal Red Card
The decision by referee Chris Kavanagh to show Rice a second yellow card for allegedly delaying the restart of play has sparked widespread debate, with Terry calling it the “worst decision EVER” in a heated response on social media.
The match at the Emirates Stadium had been evenly poised, with Kai Havertz giving Arsenal an early lead. However, the game took a dramatic turn early in the second half when Rice was sent off, a decision that left many, including Terry, baffled and infuriated.
The incident occurred when Rice was deemed to have delayed play after a foul on Brighton’s Joel Veltman, a call that many observers, including former referees, have since criticized.
Brighton’s Joao Pedro, who had committed a similar offense earlier in the game but went unpunished, capitalized on the Gunners’ numerical disadvantage by scoring the equalizer shortly after Rice’s dismissal. The controversial decision left Arsenal fans and players alike feeling aggrieved, with manager Mikel Arteta expressing his frustration in the post-match press conference.
“If it [bookings for delaying the restart] happens throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine, but it didn’t. It is the inconsistency,” Arteta lamented. “None, like always,” he added when asked if he had received any explanation for the decision.
“We started the game really well. We scored the goal, 1-0. We started the second half really good but then there is the decision that changes the game completely.”
Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hürzeler, defended the referee’s decision, stating, “First of all, he shoots the ball away so it is a clear yellow card. It changes the momentum of the game.”
Adding fuel to the fire, former Premier League referee Mark Halsey criticized Kavanagh’s decision in a column for The Sun, stating, “The ball was rolling when Brighton’s Joel Veltman took the free-kick, so the restart would not have taken place as it would have been wrong in Law. Therefore, the delaying a restart does not apply. Kavanagh went looking for trouble and he found it. A referee of his calibre at this level should not be sending players off for this.”
Declan Rice took to Instagram to express his disappointment, writing, “Didn’t feel it deserved a second yellow card but will learn and be better for it. Proud of the boys regardless & thank you for the amazing support Gunners.” His post quickly garnered support from fans and teammates alike, with William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko among those offering their solidarity.
The controversy surrounding Rice’s red card is likely to continue, with pundits, fans, and former players like John Terry weighing in on what has become one of the most talked-about decisions of the Premier League season.
John Terry Gives Declan Rice Furious Three-Word Verdict on Controversial Arsenal Red Card
