Howard Webb admits Chris Kavanagh mistake in Arsenal-Brighton clash | OneFootball

Howard Webb has admitted Chris Kavanagh made a mistake refereeing Arsenal’s match against Brighton, but not with Declan Rice’s red card.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal interacts with match referee Chris Kavanagh after being shown a second yellow card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Howard Webb has assessed Declan Rice’s red card against Brighton, insisting the correct decision was made in that case but admitting that an earlier call involving Joao Pedro was incorrect.

On Rice, Webb said: “He’s clearly seen Declan Rice commit a foul, then kick the ball away for an opponent that was in the process of taking a free-kick.

“We’ve messaged very clearly and strongly to the players in pre-season around the importance of not getting involved with the ball once the whistle is gone, not delaying the restart in that way.

“Once he’s seen Declan Rice deliberately, clearly kick that ball away from the position of that free-kick, then I don’t think he’s got any choice.”

Former FIFA referee Howard Webb speaks during the launch of FIFA’s Anti-Discrimination Monitoring System at Wembley Stadium in west London on May 12, 2015. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Of course, Arsenal players and fans have pointed to Joao Pedro’s first-half restart delay. The Brighton player booted the ball at least 40 yards away from the position of a Gunners throw-in, and Webb admits it was an error not to book him.

“It sits in the same kind of book around delaying the restart. Of course, he should have been cautioned here,” Webb added.

“The officials on the field gave him too much benefit of doubt.

“They do delay Arsenal’s ability to restart. We’ve certainly messaged that back to the officials.”

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Joao Pedro of Brighton looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion at Vitality Stadium on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

That mistake ended up having two consequences. First, Rice was misled into believing Kavanagh wouldn’t be punishing instances of delaying the restart with yellow cards, potentially leading to his sending-off.

Second, Pedro avoided a deserved yellow, allowing him to make several risky fouls in the second half and eventually receiving a booking without being sent off.

As for Kavanagh himself, he said of the Rice booking: “I don’t like it, but he’s knocked the ball.

“Second yellow, for me. I had no choice, he knocks the ball away. As [Veltman’s] about to kick it, he knocks the ball.

“I have no choice. He’s put me in an awful position. Dec, you need to go I’m afraid.”

It’s just unfortunate he felt he did have a choice with Pedro.