‘Utter nonsense’ – Gary Lineker blasts Premier League panel over Declan Rice red card verdict

Gary Lineker has doubled down on his criticism of Declan Rice’s red card against Brighton after a Premier League panel unanimously backed the sending off.

Rice was controversially shown two yellow cards and given his marching orders during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton, meaning he’ll miss this Sunday’s North London Derby against Tottenham.

While it’s agreed his first yellow for a bad foul was justified, the second for preventing Joel Veltman from taking a quick free kick has divided opinion.

The defensive midfielder appeared to kick the ball away as Veltman ran up to take a free-kick, which by the letter of the law warrants a booking.

However, it has been argued that Veltman had no intention of actually taking a free-kick and was just trying to get his opponent sent off, while Rice only made the slightest contact with the ball.

Furthermore, referee Chris Kavanagh failed to book Joao Pedro, who would score the equaliser for Brighton just minutes after the red card, after he booted the ball away in a clear time-wasting offence during the first-half.

However, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel doesn’t see it that way, ruling on Tuesday that: ‘Rice knows what he’s doing – it’s a gentle touch, but once the referee sees it he has no choice. Clear, deliberate and impactful.’

All five members of the panel agreed with the red card, a decision England legend Lineker labelled ‘utter nonsense’ on Twitter.

The Match of the Day host had previously said that the red card was proof ‘football had lost its mind’, saying on The Rest is Football podcast: ‘First yellow was a definite yellow.

‘It’s one of those that by the letter of the law, you could probably argue that it might be a yellow card, but I mean, he flicked the ball about a foot. The ball was actually rolling at the time anyway.

‘So did he stop him taking a free kick in that sense? Well, technically he couldn’t take one if the ball was rolling.

‘I mean, I just think a little bit of common sense in those things, really. Sometimes, and I know referees will point out to the letter of the law and they can make an argument for that, but I don’t know.

‘I just think it’s another sign that football’s kind of lost its mind a little bit for me to get a second yellow and a red card for that.’

Once he sees out his suspension, Rice will next play for Arsenal on September 19 in their opening Champions League fixture against Atalanta.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.