Brighton & Hove Albion defender Joel Veltman admitted Arsenal’s Declan Rice was unlucky to be sent off in their meeting before the international break.
The Seagulls drew 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium to end the Gunners’ 100% start to the 2024/25 season, but claimed the point in controversial circumstances.
As Arsenal scored a good goal, Rice received a second yellow card for preventing Veltman from taking a quick free-kick after fouling the Dutchman.
While trying to take a free-kick, Veltman swung and kicked Rice with some force, leading many to believe that the red card given by referee Chris Kavanagh was actually his for violent behaviour. However, it was Rice’s instead.
Talking to Sky SportsVeltman said the reaction to the incident on social media was overwhelming, although he sympathized with Rice after admitting he made a mistake.
“For me, it goes too far, with comments like this on social media. We have a new game date coming up, so I don’t want to say too much about it,” said Vultman.
“The only thing I can say is that I didn’t want to kick him. He just kicked it, I kicked him. I also see it as difficult. If you see my reaction, you can look back, I was kicking it. I didn’t go to the referee to get him a second yellow, I was going to him ‘Kick it, I’m sorry I kicked you’.
“I think he made a wonderful comment. I think that’s what surprised me about him, the way he commented in the media afterwards.”
Red cards for two bookings cannot be appealed and Rice is suspended for Arsenal’s trip to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
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