Ex-PGMOL chief shares explosive verdict on Declan Rice's 'violent action' in Arsenal defeat to Brighton
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was fortunate not to be sent off in the final seconds of Saturday's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton.
That is the opinion of former PGMOL head and FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 27-year-old was booked by Darren England after appearing to kick out at Malick Yalcouye in an incident that took place off the ball.
It was a frustrating day for Arsenal, with goals from Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andres handing the champions their first defeat of the season.
Mikel Arteta's side had been perfect before Saturday, winning seven consecutive games across all competitions.
But the international break will now provide a chance to reset, before the visit of Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium in October.
'Declan Rice clearly kicked his opponent'
It is rare to see Rice lose his cool, but he was evidently frustrated by Saturday's display.
That frustration made its way out in the game's final seconds, after he had received a late and unnecessary barge in the back from Yalcouye.
The England international responded by running back towards the Brighton man and tripping him.
The players came together, with Rice eventually shown a yellow card by England, and the final whistle blowing soon after.
"Declan Rice clearly kicked his opponent in an act of retaliation. The incident took place off the ball and Rice is fortunate that the referee determined the action was reckless and a yellow card," Hackett told Football Insider.
"This kick in retaliation is, in law, a violent action and Rice is fortunate that referee England did not display a red card. The action by his opponent should have resulted in a yellow card.
"Given the incident last week involving the Manchester United captain [Bruno Fernandes] where he kicked [Phil] Foden and also received no sanction, Pro Ref has clearly set the bar too high when a player kicks an opponent."
The Bruno Fernandes incident
The Fernandes incident referred to by Hackett took place last week in the highly controversial Manchester derby.
The Portugal international had taken a slight swipe at the downed Phil Foden, who responded by kicking upwards towards his opponent.
Foden was dismissed and Fernandes was not, with some arguing that both players should have seen red.
Inconsistency in decision-making has been yet another point of constant discussion this season, with Pro Ref seemingly unable to exercise their own rules.