At a Glance:
- Rice dismisses the refereeing decisions made in Arsenal’s first leg against Atletico
- Accuses another official of being paid off
- Could receive a match ban if UEFA deems him to have overstepped.
In what was a fairly dull game on the face of it—one goal apiece for each side—the first leg of Arsenal versus Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final saw refereeing controversy take centre stage.
Arsenal’s goal came from Viktor Gyokeres, who won Man of the Match, and Julian Alvarez, who has been linked with a transfer to North London. Interestingly, both players scored from a penalty, and penalties seemed to be the story of the game.
Alvarez’s penalty came thanks to a perceived handball from Ben White that sparked debate over its legitimacy, while Arsenal were not given a chance to go 2-1 up thanks to a late Eberechi Eze penalty shout eventually not being awarded.
Gunners star Declan Rice was particularly irked by the fact that the Eze incident did not go his team’s way, and what he said after the game might have made things even more awkward.
READ MORE: ‘I am sure’: Atletico Madrid player has no doubt Arsenal will lose to them in the second leg
Declan Rice blasts referee for not awarding ‘clear penalty’ to Arsenal
Speaking to Stan Sport after the game concluded, Declan Rice had some words regarding the onfield decisions of referee Danny Makkelie, and did not hold back.
“The second [penalty incident for Arsenal], Ebs’ [Eberechi Eze’s} one, is a clear penalty… So I don’t know how that’s not been given. I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the referee’s mind.”
He stated that it could be down to the varying application of rules that are seen in the Champions League when compared to the Premier League, saying that “it is just the way it’s operated, I think. I feel like they penalise you more in European competitions.”
“I’ve felt that since I played in the Champions League three years ago. Referees are really quick to make decisions, to blow their whistle. You can’t do much about it. You’ve just got to watch out and be careful,” Rice continued.
If the 27-year-old’s comments are deemed to be inappropriate, UEFA could fine, or ban, the midfielder—something that happened to him while he was playing in the Europa League semi-finals four years ago for West Ham.
Rice also accuses match official of having ‘been paid’ to influence the match result
Fellow match official Jesus Gil Manzano was reportedly told by Declan Rice that “you’ve probably been paid.” It could actually be this comment that gets the Arsenal number 41 in trouble, given that this is not just criticism and steps into the realm of accusational remarks.
Mikel Arteta and the rest of the Arsenal squad will hope that Rice will not be banned for next week’s second leg versus Atletico at home, especially with a final against PSG or Bayern potentially waiting.
