Referee Chris Kavanagh was right to send Declan Rice off in Arsenal’s draw with Brighton, the Key Match Incidents panel has ruled.

The board – which reviews the big refereeing decisions in the Premier League each week – agreed the midfielder should have been dismissed.

Rice, who was already on a booking, nudged the ball away from Joel Veltman as he prepared to take a free-kick in the 49th minute of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton last weekend.

It was the first red card of the England star’s career, with the panel agreeing his actions were “clear, deliberate and impactful” and a second yellow card was correct.

The panel, which unanimously backed the decision, wrote: “Rice knows what he’s doing – it’s a gentle touch, but once the referee sees it he has no choice.”

Arsenal were 1-0 up at the time after Kai Havertz’s goal, but Joao Pedro’s leveller earned Brighton a point at the Emirates.

The KMI panel is independent and made up of three former players or coaches, one Premier League representative and one from the Professional Game Match Officials Board, the referees’ body.

It also ruled the video assistant referee (VAR) was right to intervene in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Manchester United.

The goal was initially given but was then ruled out, with Mohamed Salah deemed to have been offside in the build-up.

It was the only on-pitch decision ruled to have been incorrect out of the 23 looked into for match week three.

The panel was unanimous in its support of every on-field call, except the decision not to give Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes a second yellow card in their 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

The midfielder, already on a booking, avoided a caution from referee Jarred Gillett despite pulling back Cole Palmer outside the box just after half-time.

The first caution was unanimously supported as correct, with the majority (3-2) supporting Gillett’s decision not to issue a second yellow.

However, two of the panellists argued: “Palmer is the wrong side of Hughes and has options left and right, therefore it is stopping a promising attack.”

Manchester United have identified the manager to take over from Erik ten Hag when the Dutchman leaves.

The former Ajax manager is clearly under pressure following Manchester United’s disappointing start to the season.

The Mirror reports that United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering firing him and has identified former Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane as a possible replacement for Ten Hag.

The Red Devils finished eighth in the Premier League last season while also being knocked out of their Champions League group.

Ten Hag was about being sacked before luck shone on him to win the FA Cup final against city rivals, Manchester City.

The club’s revamped board decided to stick with him but the start to the current season has intensified the pressure on him.

After managing a 1-0 win over Fulham, Manchester United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton on the road and were then dismantled by Liverpool at Old Trafford.

This poor form has only heightened the scrutiny on Ten Hag.

And the club’s owners have been monitoring the potential of Zidane replacing Ten Hag if the Dutchman’s tenure falters.

Zidane has not managed a team since 2021, but still remains a sought-after coach.

However, there are other options for Zidane, who is a leading candidate to replace Didier Deschamps as the France national team manager.

John Mikel Obi has refused to blame Victor Osimhen for his social media tirade at former Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George.

Osimhen came under scrutiny for lashing out at Finidi, who allegedly questioned his commitment to the national team.

The forward called out the former Ajax winger and expressed his disappointment and loss of respect for him.

Mikel said Osimhen’s frustration was understandable, especially with the Super Eagles poor results against South Africa and Benin Republic.

The former midfielder admitted that while the striker’s reaction may not be ideal, he understands why the player needs to defend himself.

He praised Osimhen’s humility but acknowledged that respect must be mutual.

“Every time I speak to him, he’s very humble, respects people. As I said, respect is reciprocal. I respect you, you respect me. I think this situation with the Nigerian coach, where he blew out, he just felt it wasn’t fair because the manager didn’t protect him, Mikel said on Obionepodcast.

“He said he had a conversation with the manager, everything was recorded, and the manager just threw him under the bus.

“He was really pissed off, so he came out to defend himself. Maybe the way he did it wasn’t the best, but he had the right to speak out. I have nothing against Victor [Osimhen] for that, and knowing your worth isn’t arrogance.”

Former Super Eagles head coach Finidi George has revealed that Super Eagles star, Victor Osimhen has not apologized for the social media rant that disrespected him.

Osimhen lashed out at Finidi on social media after the Finidi reportedly accused him of pulling out of national team games.

After the rant, Osimhen was widely criticized on social media with top sporting figures urging him to apologize but Finidi says he has put the episode behind him.

“I sent him a message that it was not the best way, just someone telling you that coach said that and you’re talking about me like I said it in an interview,” Finidi told Nigeria Info FM.

“From that point, I didn’t hear from him, I moved on and I wish everybody well, only God will judge”.

Finidi also refused to comment on the suggestion that Osimhen should have been sanctioned with a ban from the Super Eagles.

“I don’t know, he is there already, let him be,” he added.

“We cannot crucify him, he has made a mistake, we have moved on and life goes on.”

British Broadcaster, Piers Morgan has heaped praises on Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo after the forward led his team to beat Scotland in the Nations League on Sunday.

Portugal came from a goal down to beat Scotland 2-1 following Scott McTominay’s goal for the visitors.

Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes scored the goals for the host in Lisbon.

Reacting, Morgan, in a tweet on X after the game, said Ronaldo keeps writing his own scripts, branding the Al Nassr forward as ‘incredible.’

“RONALDO!!!!! His first-ever goal against Scotland. His 901st in professional football,” Morgan tweeted.

“He keeps writing his own scripts. Incredible @Cristiano.”