Exclusive: Referees told use ‘common sense’ after Declan Rice’s Arsenal controversy
Keith Hackett has urged referees to apply a “degree of common sense” with time-wasting issues after Declan Rice was sent off during the 2024/25 season.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referees need to have a better understanding of the sport ahead of next season after the Arsenal man was controversially sent off.
While the 26-year-old appeared to nudge the ball away, receiving a huge kick from Joel Veltman in the process, it was the England international who was handed his marching orders by Chris Kavanagh.
This was massively controversial as the ball was still moving as Veltman attempted to take a quick free-kick, but with the incident being a second yellow rather than a straight red card, VAR could not intervene.
Declan Rice red card sees Brighton draw at Emirates Stadium
What would have been an early, but important, moment in the Premier League title race back in August was shaped by the sending-off as Newcastle United-linked striker Joao Pedro cancelled out Kai Havertz’s first-half strike.
Players are often given punishments for kicking the ball away, like Leandro Trossard against Man City just one month later, but Rice’s red card incident felt far different from all the others.
There was a sense of injustice from the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta disagreeing with the decision wholeheartedly, and Hackett clearly agrees that the attitude needs to change.
Keith Hackett expects better from Premier League referees next season
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said:“I think if a player kicks a ball more than 10 yards, there’s nothing in law to say it is [a booking], but we all know what kicking the ball away means. It certainly wasn’t in the case of Declan Rice.
“Although the PGMOL went out and defended the referee Chris Kavanagh, stating why it was a second yellow. I’m not asking referees to be soft here. I’m asking them to apply a degree of common sense.
“This is where common sense isn’t a weakness for a referee, it’s about having a respect and understanding for the game. If the referee thought Rice was going to kick the ball away, why not just say, ‘Don’t do it’?
“Communicate with players like we used to. It was never confrontational, just a bit of banter. Some of that empathy is required, and it’s not a weakness. Consistency is also key, not just in the 90 minutes, but also amongst all PGMOL referees.”
“Therefore, fans will have a better understanding of whether the rules are being applied accurately.”