Chris Kavanagh’s Call on Rice Backed by Panel

Referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision to dismiss Declan Rice during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton received validation from the Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel. The panel which reviews major Premier League refereeing decisions weekly agreed that Rice deserved the red card. The midfielder, already on a yellow card had nudged the ball away from Joel Veltman as he prepared to take a free-kick in the 49th minute.

This incident marked the first red card of Rice’s career. The panel concluded that Rice’s action was “clear, deliberate and impactful,” which justified issuing the second yellow card. At the time of Rice’s dismissal, Arsenal led 1-0 thanks to Kai Havertz’s goal, but Brighton equalized through Joao Pedro, resulting in a draw.

The KMI panel made up of former players, coaches, a Premier League representative and a member of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, unanimously supported Chris Kavanagh’s decision. The panel also confirmed that the video assistant referee (VAR) correctly ruled out Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United.

VAR overturned the goal because Mohamed Salah was offside in the buildup, making it the only incorrect on-pitch decision out of 23 reviewed for match week three. However, the panel disagreed about Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes, who avoided a second yellow card in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Hughes already booked, fouled Cole Palmer outside the box after halftime.

The panel supported the first caution but split on whether Hughes should have received a second yellow. Two panellists argued that Hughes’s foul stopped a promising attack, suggesting a stronger case for further punishment.