Unfortunately, I was on the road during the start of the second half of the Arsenal vs Brighton game and the stream wasn't quite stable when I saw on a group about "what Rice did being unnecessary". My fear was confirmed when I asked "hope it's not a red card" and I was told it was. I was baffled as I knew Rice was not one to make silly or rash tackles.
Arriving my destination, I decided to follow the game on the screen there and Brighton scored just then. I was pained. Sadly, there was no replay of the Rice incident until after the final whistle.
At first, when I saw the incident where Veltman kicked into Rice, I had thought that he retaliated, being reason for his red card. To my chagrin, I saw that he didn't, but tapped away a rolling ball and got a second yellow. I still wasn't sure why he was sent off until I saw the referee gesturing with his legs to indicate that Rice kicked the ball. Pheeew! What a shame.
A lot of opposition fans have been quick to say it was the right call. My response to them, "e go touch everybody" - everyone will get served unfair/rash/stupid decisions come their way; so they should remember this day.
For a start, the ball was not in a threatening position that we would have argued that they were going to restart to score. The ball was close their own corner flag. We could argue that Rice shouldn't have kicked the ball, since everyone is arguing "it's the letter of the law", but I believe the law didn't say commen sense shouldn't be applied to situations. There was no danger and if any, it was to Rice who was kicked.
For those clinging to the letter of the law, Joao Pedro got away with worse in the first half. He not only raced towards the ball but kicked it away in frustration 30-40 yards away from where the restart should have been. I also remember Saka being pulled back on a couple of occasions after beating his man but they never got carded.
This conversation will go a long way this season and it unfortunately has set a bad precedence. It's a disgrace to the PGMOL. I hope they don't come back with their useless apologies.
