Mark Goldbridge holds nothing back after hearing VAR audio of controversial Declan Rice red card

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 shown a red card by referee Chris Kavanagh during the Premier League match at the Emirates on August 31, which ended as a 1-1 draw.

Already on a yellow card, Rice received a second booking for rolling the ball away from Joel Veltman, who then kicked through the England international as he looked to take a quick free kick.

Rice was handed a one-match ban for the red card, which subsequently ruled him out of Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham. But Arsenal were able to cope without the midfielder, winning the match 1-0 at the home of their bitter rivals.

The audio from the VAR discussion surrounding the controversial red card has now been released, in which referee Kavanagh tells Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard that Rice put him "in an awful position" by kicking the ball away.

"I had no choice, he knocks the ball away. You did kick the ball, you did," Kavanagh is heard telling Rice in the audio, released to the public on the latest episode of the Premier League's Mic'd Up on Sky Sports.

"He's knocked the ball away. You need to go Dec, you need to go. I don't like it, I don't like it. But he's knocked the ball, he's kicked the ball. Dec, you need to go I'm afraid."

Kavanagh's decision was backed up at the time by the body that is responsible for Premier League officials, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), and the Key Match Incidents panel.

Speaking on Mic'd Up, the PGMOL's chief operation officer Howard Webb also gave his support to Kavanagh.

"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," said former Premier League referee Webb.

Rice was sent off against Brighton (Image: Getty)

"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."

YouTuber and Manchester United supporter Mark Goldbridge has since taken to social media to slam the officials and the PGMOL over its handling of the incident.

"That Declan Rice second yellow VAR audio is a disgrace," Goldbridge posted on X.

"One big mates club again protecting each other and not one voice of common sense when 90% of people watching knew it was soft."