Brighton & Hove Albion defender Joel Veltman has admitted to apologizing to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice after their altercation during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton, which led to Rice receiving a second yellow card and being sent off. The incident occurred after Rice was penalized for a foul on Veltman, and in the ensuing attempt to take the free-kick, Veltman inadvertently kicked Rice instead of the ball. The clash resulted in Rice being shown a second yellow for time-wasting, a decision that left fans and players alike confused and frustrated.
The Controversial Incident
The match of Arsenal vs Brighton at the Emirates Stadium had been closely contested, with both teams pushing for a result. Arsenal, under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta, had taken the lead through Bukayo Saka, only to be pegged back by a late equalizer from Brighton. Tensions were already high when, in the closing stages of the game, Rice fouled Veltman in midfield. As Brighton prepared to take the free-kick, Rice delayed the restart of play by kicking the ball away.
Veltman, eager to take the free-kick quickly, moved to retrieve the ball. In a moment of miscommunication or perhaps overexcitement, the Dutch defender caught Rice with his foot, leading to a somewhat chaotic few seconds as the Arsenal midfielder was left frustrated. The referee, believing Rice was responsible for delaying the restart of play, issued him a second yellow card, followed by a red, sending him off in the dying minutes of the match.
Veltman’s Apology to Rice
Speaking to the media after the game, Veltman admitted that he felt responsible for the incident and had apologized to Declan Rice during the match.
“I said sorry to Declan after it happened. It was not my intention to kick him,” Veltman said. “I was trying to take the free-kick quickly, but I ended up kicking him instead of the ball. It was a bit of a misunderstanding.”
The Brighton defender acknowledged that emotions were running high and that Rice’s actions were likely a product of the competitive nature of the game.
“We were both trying to win the game, and in those moments, things can get a little out of hand. But I definitely didn’t mean to cause any trouble, and I think Declan understood that,” Veltman added.
The Impact on Arsenal
Rice’s red card had significant implications for Arsenal, who had been pushing for a late winner in the game. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment with the decision, suggesting that the referee may have been too quick to brandish the second yellow.
“It’s frustrating,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference. “Declan was trying to get back into position, and there was clearly a mix-up between him and Veltman. To give a second yellow for that feels very harsh, especially in such a tight game.”
Rice’s dismissal will also see him miss Arsenal’s next league match due to suspension, further complicating matters for the Gunners. Arteta will now have to plan without one of his most influential players as they aim to maintain their strong start to the season.
Rice’s Reaction to the Incident
Declan Rice, meanwhile, was visibly frustrated as he left the pitch after being shown the red card. Known for his calm demeanor and leadership qualities, the England international rarely finds himself in such situations. After the game, Rice took to social media to express his disappointment.
“Frustrated with the way it ended today. Never want to let the team down like that, but we keep pushing forward,” Rice wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Appreciate Joel for apologizing, it was just one of those moments that can happen in football.”
Despite the setback, Rice’s attitude reflected his determination to move on from the incident and focus on the challenges ahead.
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