BUKAYO SAKA ISSUES DEMAND TO PREMIER LEAGUE AFTER DECLAN RICE'S CONTROVERSIAL RED

Bukayo Saka has called on Premier League officials to be more consistent after Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton.

The Arsenal midfielder was shown a second yellow card early in the 49th minute following an incident involving Joel Veltman, where Rice appeared to nudge the ball away after it was rolled into his path. He was then kicked by the Brighton defender and was stunned when referee Chris Kavanagh gave him his marching orders.

Arsenal, who had been ahead courtesy of Kai Havertz's goal, ended up drawing the match 1-1 following Rice's dismissal.

And the decision was questioned by a number of people post-match, including Saka, who raised the issue of consistency.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "I thought it was a bit harsh for us. We just want some consistency. Joao Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch in the first half and got nothing for it and Dec got the slightest touch and was sent off.

"It is what it is, I dont want to put the whole game on the referee as we still had chances to win it. It has been a good start. Today is a disappointment but it is a long season."

Mikel Arteta also hit out at the decision during his post-match interview with TNT Sports and, like Saka, suggested that top-flight officials are not consistent enough over such calls.

Join the debate! What did you make of the decision to send Rice off? Let us know here.

"If it [bookings for delaying the restart] happens throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine but it didn't. It is the inconsistency," the Spaniard said. When asked about an explanation, he said: "None, like always."

He continued: "We started the game really well. We scored the goal, 1-0. We started the second half really good but then there is the decision that changes the game completely."

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2024-08-31T14:56:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd