The Premier League’s key Match Incidents panel has ruled that referee Chris Kavanagh had “no choice”, but to send off Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice against Brighton.
Rice will now miss Sunday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur as a result of the dismissal.
The England midfielder was already on a yellow card at the start of the second half.
He was then given a second booking after he prevented Joel Veltman from taking a quick free kick.
Rice made only slight contact with the ball, but it was enough for Kavanagh to deem he had deliberately impeded his opponent.
The panel has now unanimously backed the decision, saying: “Rice knows what he’s doing – it’s a gentle touch, but once the referee sees it he has no choice.”
