'Like a pack of cards': Richard Keys now throws in fresh take on Declan Rice's 'stupid' red card for Arsenal v Brighton

Declan Rice was sent off at the weekend and to say the decision has caused quite the stir would be an understatement.

Rice was given his marching orders when he picked up a second yellow card for getting involved in what looked like a petulant incident with Joel Veltman.

In the end, Rice’s petulance cost Arsenal three points as Brighton equalised soon after and Arsenal couldn’t get back into the game.

Former referee Dermot Gallagher has also suggested Rice knew the risks and ultimately, the decision now means he missed the game with Tottenham.

And now on Monday, with the debate still raging, the often opinionated Richard Keys has now had his say on proceedings.

Declan Rice of Arsenal interacts with match referee Chris Kavanagh after being shown a second yellow card during the Premier League match between A...

Richard Keys brands Declan Rice ‘stupid’ for his red card v Brighton

Writing in his weekly blog post about the action at the weekend, Keys got to Rice and the red card.

And while he suggested the referee might have turned a blind eye, Keys suggested Rice made the ref’s decision easy by going down easily.

“Let this be my last word on Declan Rice’s sending off. Why all the hysteria? ‘The worst red of all time’ screamed Piers Morgan – leading the Arsenal collective indignation,” Keys wrote.

“A couple of things here. It wasn’t a red. For delaying the re-start he was booked. He’d already been booked so he had to go. He was stupid. He knew what he was doing. I’m afraid the laws of the game apply to England internationals the same as they do anybody else.

“I agree Chris Kavanagh could’ve looked away – and he might’ve done had Rice not collapsed like a pack of cards trying to get Veltman sent-off.

“I also agree that Pedro should’ve been booked – but that wouldn’t have negated Rice’s offence.”

Rice argued the decision at the time but in the end, it was pointless as he knew he’d broken the rules.

The interesting point will be if other referees decide to opt for similar punishment as the season goes on.

Indeed, you can bet your bottom dollar as soon as something similar happens and no yellow is shown, then Arsenal will be all over it.