Alan Shearer Casts Verdict on Declan Rice Kicking Brighton Player
Alan Shearer Casts Verdict on Declan Rice Kicking Brighton Player
Alan Shearer has issued a controversial verdict after Declan Rice avoided a straight red card during Arsenal’s shock 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.
Rice was shown a yellow card shortly before full-time for a retaliatory off-the-ball incident involving Brighton midfielder Malick Yalcouye.
Yalcouye nudged Rice after the Arsenal midfielder had released the ball. Rice reacted by knocking his opponent to the ground with a kick.
Referee Darren England issued Rice with a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct, but many football fans are convinced it should have been a red – particularly as Manchester City’s Phil Foden was sent off for a retaliatory kick against Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes just six days earlier.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes Rice should have been sent off, explaining to Football Insider: “This kick in retaliation is, in law, a violent action, and Rice is fortunate that the referee England did not display a red card. The action by his opponent should have resulted in a yellow card.”
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Alan Shearer’s Verdict on Rice Incident
The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer Alan Shearer reviewed the incident on Match of the Day.
The Newcastle United legend believes a yellow card was the right outcome. He said: “[The scoreline] could have been six or seven and this was frustration from Declan Rice. Yalcouye gives him a little nudge and I do think the referee gets that right.
“He gives him the yellow card. I don’t think it was too aggressive, he didn’t lash out at him, therefore I think the referee got that right.” Watch the clip below:
However, football fans have been left perplexed by Shearer’s analysis.
One person commented on X (Twitter): “‘Didn’t lash out’… kicking someone’s ankles for no reason is the definition of lashing out.”
Another said: “Didn’t lash out at him = Kicks him when the ball is long gone. Rice gets away with everything and then people defend it too. Ridiculous.”
A third fan added: “How is that different to Foden’s red card last week? Not attempting to get the ball, reckless and with excessive force.” While a fourth commented:
“Nonsense. That’s no different to Phil Foden, last weekend.”
A fifth fan tweeted: “Just defending him cos he’s the posh little England player. Stonewall red.”
And a sixth went further by saying: “He needs to be removed from Match of the Day with comments like that… red card all day.”
Manchester City will enter the international break three points clear of second-placed Arsenal if they defeat Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.
Rice has been named in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for England’s four UEFA Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czech Republic (two games) and Croatia.
