Why Declan Rice's red card against Brighton was issued: VAR expert clarifies Premier League rule the Arsenal midfielder violated to earn 'harsh' second yellow

Rice was dismissed for two yellow cards against Brighton on Saturday. The England international was first booked for a clumsy late challenge, but his second was far more controversial; he appeared to kick the ball away before Joel Veltman took a free-kick, but the defender then swung his leg and kicked Rice. The Brighton star was not punished, but Rice was shown a second yellow and sent off.

Now, Dale Johnson of ESPN has explained why Rice was carded and the VAR process involved. While there was a VAR review for a red card for Veltman, he was not adjudged to have committed serious foul play, as his attempted kicking of the ball did not possess the required force or brutality for a sending off. He likely should have been booked, nevertheless.

Rice was shown a second yellow for "kicking or carrying the ball away, or provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play," and for delaying the restart. Rice has admitted he can have no complaints over the issue, despite the controversy.

Many Arsenal supporters complained after the game that Joao Pedro had committed a similar offence - he kicked the ball away after it had run out of play - but received no booking. ESPN explains that this is because he did not effectively delay the restart, as there was an Arsenal player within close proximity who was able to receive a ball from the sidelines and take a quick throw-in, if they had wanted to.

Arsenal are next in action against Tottenham in the north London derby, after the international break. Rice will be suspended and will play no part.