Rice red the correct decision - KMI panel
Declan Rice was sent off for the first time in his career against Brighton
- Published
Referee Chris Kavanagh was right to send Declan Rice off in Arsenal's draw with Brighton, the Key Match Incidents panel has ruled.
The board, which reviews the big refereeing decisions in the Premier League each week, agreed the midfielder should have been dismissed.
Rice, who was already on a booking, nudged the ball away from Joel Veltman as he prepared to take a free-kick in the 49th minute of the 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium.
It was the first red card of the 25-year-old's career, with the panel agreeing his actions were "clear, deliberate and impactful", and a second yellow card was correct.
The panel, which unanimously backed the decision 5-0, wrote: "Rice knows what he's doing. It's a gentle touch but once the referee sees it, he has no choice."
Arsenal were 1-0 up at the time after Kai Havertz's goal, but Joao Pedro's leveller earned Brighton at point.
The KMI panel is independent and made up of three former players or coaches, one Premier League representative and one from the Professional Game Match Officials Board, the referees' body.