Chris Kavanagh, the referee who sent off Declan Rice last month, admitted he “did not like” the controversial decision but told the Arsenal midfielder he “had no choice”. Rice was shown a second yellow card during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton after he knocked the ball away from Joel Veltman as the defender prepared to take a free-kick.

But shortly before Rice’s dismissal, Brighton forward Joao Pedro escaped punishment after he delayed Arsenal’s ability to restart play by kicking the ball away. Webb, who is head of PGMOL, admits referee Chris Kavanagh should have also given Joao Pedro a yellow card but has defended the referee’s decision to send off Rice.

Mark Goldbridge has hit out at Premier League officials after the VAR audio of Declan Rice's controversial sending-off for Arsenal against Brighton was finally released to the public. Rice, 25, was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh in the Premier League match at the Emirates on August 31, which ended as a 1-1 draw.