Joel Veltman breaks silence on ‘harsh’ Declan Rice purple card
Brighton & Hove Albion defender Joel Veltman has admitted Arsenal’s Declan Rice was unlucky to have been despatched off of their assembly previous to the worldwide break.
The Seagulls earned a 1-1 draw on the Emirates Stadium to finish the Gunners’ 100% begin to the 2024/25 season, however they claimed that time in controversial circumstances.
With Arsenal a purpose to the great, Rice acquired a second yellow card for stopping Veltman from taking a fast free-kick after he fouled the Dutchman.
Whereas attempting to take the free-kick, Veltman swung and kicked Rice with some pressure, main many to consider the purple card given by referee Chris Kavanagh was really for him as a result of violent conduct. Nevertheless, it proved to be for Rice as an alternative.
Chatting with Sky Sports activities, Veltman claimed the response to the incident on social media went excessive, although he sympathised for Rice after he admitted to creating a mistake.
“For me, it goes actually far, with like feedback on social media. We have now a brand new recreation day developing, so I do not need to say so much about it,” Veltman mentioned.
“The one factor I can say is that I did not need to kick him. It is simply he kicked it away, I kicked him. I discover it fairly harsh as effectively. For those who see my response, you possibly can look again, I used to be not going to the referee to get him a second yellow, I used to be going to him ‘Why did you kick it? I am sorry I kicked you’.
“I feel he gave an incredible remark. I feel that is what personally shocked me about him, how he commented within the media after.”
Crimson playing cards on account of two bookings can’t be appealed and so Rice is suspended for Arsenal’s journey to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
