Chelsea legend John Terry writes three-word message on Declan Rice's Instagram after controversial red card
Arsenal star Declan Rice has landed another surprise sponsor as the fallout from his controversial red card continues.
The England midfielder was sent off for two yellow-card offences in the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Brighton.
The second, however, has caused a real stir with Rice being booked for kicking the ball away from Joel Veltman.
Referee Chris Kavanagh deemed this delayed the restart after seeing the Arsenal The player committed a foul moments before.
Veltman moved his leg in an apparent move to take the free kick, but Rice touched the ball, causing the Dutchman to punch it away instead.
The midfielder was stunned to see the yellow card that was shown to him, with the coach Mikel Arteta unhappy too
“I was shocked,” Arteta said. “Shocked, shocked, shocked by how inconsistent decisions can be. In the first half, there are two incidents and nothing happens.”
“Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan (on the back of the leg), he turns around, doesn't see the player coming and touches the ball.
“According to the law, you can make that decision, but then, according to the law, you have to make the next decision, which is a red card, so we played 10 against 10. That's what surprised me. At this level it's unbelievable.”
Former Tottenham star Jamie O'Hara was another Defending rice.
AND Chelsea legend Juan Terry agrees, which some might also find surprising.
Rice posted on Instagram: “I'm disappointed. I don't think I deserved a second yellow card but I will learn and improve. I'm proud of the lads despite everything and thanks for the amazing support, Gunners.”
2
And in the responses, Terry simply said: “Worst decision ever made.”
He followed up with an angry emoji to make his feelings clear.
Speaking after the match, however, Rice said: admitted that the reservation was correctdespite his initial surprise.
He said: “I was in shock. I think you could see on my face that I was in shock. I didn’t run towards him (Veltman) and take the ball from him. I touched the ball with the outside of my foot.
“Look, this is the law of the game. If you touch the ball even a little bit, you will obviously get a red card after my foul in the first half, which I fully accept was a 50-50 chance of not winning it. But in the second half, especially because it was at the corner flag, they[Brighton]can’t go forward from there.”
Rice added: “It was tough, it was tough, but it’s one of those things. I have to move on. I’ll be better for it and I can only praise the players for trying their hardest for me and the manager (Arteta) for pushing everyone, and also the fans, who were amazing again this afternoon. That’s how I see it.
“It's the first time I've been sent off in my career, so I just wanted to apologise to my teammates, who I've already done, and to the fans.”
Rice's red card means he will miss Arsenal's first game after the international break – a north London derby away to rivals Tottenham on September 15.
JOIN THE DUGOUT
Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining 'THE DUGOUT' – our new panel of listeners.
Our aim is to take a deeper look at your perspectives and make sure talkSPORT is the best it can be. Your voice matters and we want to hear it!
Present your innovative ideas and participate in fun locker room polls, surveys and debates.
Just by joining, you'll be entered into a draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, and you'll be entered into another draw for every survey you complete afterwards.
To join 'The DUGOUT' panel, please Click here.
