Arsenal fans explode as ‘disgusting’ Declan Rice VAR footage emerges
Arsenal fans have been left raging after the VAR audio of Declan Rice’s second yellow card against Brighton was released.
Howard Webb, the PGMOL’s Chief Refereeing Officer, appeared on their ‘Mic’d Up’ show, on which he attempts to explain talking points surrounding refereeing decisions.
Rice’s red card in the 1-1 draw at the Emirates was a huge talking point in the last month after Gunners fans could not believe their star midfielder had been dismissed.
Brighton’s Joel Veltman was fouled, and in the process of taking the free kick, kicked out at Rice after the Arsenal midfielder knocked the ball away.
While the home supporters exploded over the call – VAR audio showed that Chris Kavanagh and his officiating team insisted they had no choice but to send Rice off after he kicked the ball away, with no punishment for Veltman.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Webb explained: “He’s clearly seen Declan Rice commit a foul and then kick the ball away from a player who was in the process of taking a free-kick.
“We’ve messaged very clearly and strongly to the players around the importance of not getting involved with the ball once the whistle has gone and not delaying the restart.
“I think once he’s seen Rice clearly and deliberately kick that ball away, he hasn’t got any choice but to send him off.“
However, both Webb and the match officials on the day failed to consider that Veltman was not trying to take the free kick – but exaggerating Rice’s actions.
By kicking out as if he was trying to take the free kick, leaving one on the Arsenal man in the process, the Brighton defender highlighted that the ball had been knocked away.
As a result, Arsenal fans’ rage at the decision has been sparked once again by the PGMOL’s attempts to explain away a controversial call by the on-field referee and VAR.
Arsenal fans rage at Howard Webb after Declan Rice VAR audio drops
Webb’s VAR audio show attempts to make sense of some of the referee’s bizarre decisions across the Premier League, but his explanations often fall on deaf ears.
It was clear to the majority of football fans using common sense that Veltman was not trying to take the free kick, while Rice’s “kick” away had very little impact.
With the VAR audio and Webb’s reaction shared via social media, fans have flooded the replies to express their rage at the controversial call.
In other news, Arsenal have opened talks over a new deal for Gabriel Magalhaes.
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