Declan Rice sent off in one of most bizarre red cards in Premier League history

Declan Rice was sent off in extraordinary circumstances in the second half of Arsenal’s encounter with Brighton on Saturday.

Rice, who had been yellow-carded for a late challenge in the first half, received a second yellow early in the second half for apparently pushing the ball away from Brighton’s Joel Veltman while play was stopped.

The situation was made more bizarre because Veltman’s response to Rice’s touch of the ball was to follow through with his kick, making Rice sound.

Rice fell to the ground clutching his leg and the home fans called for Veltman to be sent off. The Emirates Stadium was shocked when referee Chris Kavanagh showed Rice the red card.

Arsenal were leading 1-0 when Rice was sent off, but Brighton equalised nine minutes later through João Pedro.

The Premier League said the second yellow card was for delaying the restart.

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