Peter Crouch claims Joel Veltman ‘played the referee’, while Martin Keown laments the lack of sense in sending off Declan Rice against Brighton for pushing the ball

Peter Crouch and Martin Keown have vented their frustration over Declan Rice’s controversial red card against Brighton, insisting the Arsenal star’s action was ‘not a red card-worthy offence’.

Rice was given his first orders early in the second half after he kicked the ball away following a kick to the leg from Brighton defender Joel Veltman.

Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium demanded Veltman be sent off for his wild attack on Rice, but it was the Gunners midfielder who ultimately received a second yellow card.

Rice had already been booked in the first half for a wild attack and was booked again when he kicked the ball away from Veltman. Referee Chris Kavanagh saw this as an attempt to waste time.

Arsenal players and manager Mikel Arteta were furious at the decision and the inconsistencies in punishing similar unfair play throughout the match. Club legend Keown expressed his displeasure after the game.

Martin Keown was left furious as he criticised Declan Rice’s controversial red card against Brighton

Rice was sent off early in the second half after receiving a yellow card for the second time in the match

Brighton defender Joel Veltman (right) kicked Rice (left) as the Arsenal star rolled the ball away

“I know Declan actually hits the ball. Now, look, why does Veltman just hit this ball into Rice’s path, and where is, where is it supposed to go?” he told TNT Sports.

“By the way, I actually feel it too. It’s almost like a free point. Okay, I know what I’m going to do to someone at the same time. So the referee, I know the principle of this new law.

“They want to distract the players from the ball but it is also the responsibility to keep 11 players, both sets of 11 players, on the pitch and I don’t think that is an offence that warrants a red card,” he added.

Keown remained irritated as he spoke to Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler after the 1-1 draw, trying to convince the Seagulls manager that Rice should have stayed on the field.

Peter Crouch, meanwhile, admitted Rice should have been shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away after being kicked himself, but criticised Brighton’s Veltman for punching the Arsenal player in the head.

Keown was unhappy when Rice was given his marching orders and Arsenal were reduced to 10 men

“Listen, anyone who has played football and has come into football understands what happened there. Veltman simply played the referee. I mean, no, he is absolutely not,” he said.

“He’s trying to play a pass 60 yards to nobody. He’s literally trying to catch Declan Rice. We know he’s got a yellow card. It’s worked. And that’s the difference in the game.

‘That said, Declan Rice does pick up the ball and according to the law that’s a yellow card. So Veltman, there’s a bit of housery involved and Veltman absolutely played the referee.

“But having said that, he should probably go because he steals the ball,” Crouch added.