Declan Rice faces an anxious wait as UEFA look into his comments
Declan Rice should know what to expect if UEFA decide to punish him for his comments about referee Danny Makkelie. The Arsenal midfielder and his teammates were left furious when the Dutch official overturned his own penalty award during the Champions League semi-finals first leg at Atletico Madrid.
At 1-1, Makkelie rewatched Eberechi Eze being upended in the box 13 times on the pitchside monitor before reversing his on-pitch verdict. Rice felt the referee was "provoked" to change his decision by home fans.
He said: "It's a clear penalty. And I don't know how that's not been given. I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the ref's mind. UEFA is totally different [to the Premier League]. In both boxes, you have to be so careful because they give absolutely everything."
The comments could come back to bite him, with a UEFA investigation ongoing that and could end up with him being banned. There is precedent involving Rice and other notable UEFA cases that suggests he could face a suspension.
After West Ham's Europa League semi-final loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, Rice was filmed in the tunnel appearing to accuse referee Jesus Gil Manzano of "corruption."
He was heard saying on footage widely shared on social media: "Ref, ref, it's so poor, all night, it's so bad. How can you be that bad, honestly? You've probably been paid."
He was subsequently found guilty of insulting a match official five weeks after the incident and was hit with a two-match ban from UEFA competitions. On this occasion, UEFA will review Makkelie's report before deciding whether Rice's comments questioned the official's integrity.
It is unclear how long the process will take and whether any potential ban would apply to this season's competition. If it does, it will deliver a major blow to Arsenal's already-depleted midfield options and could prove to be a nightmare scenario should Rice be ruled out of taking part in the second leg or final.
The second leg at the Emirates takes place on Tuesday. If he is deemed a repeat offender, Rice could face a more severe sanction.
Similar cases have also resulted in bans. In 2019, Neymar was handed a three-match suspension (later reduced to two) for calling VAR officials a "disgrace" on social media after Paris Saint-Germain lost to Manchester United in the Champions League.
In 2015, Serge Aurier, also of PSG, received a three-match ban for calling a referee a "dirty son of a b****" in a video posted to social media following a match against Chelsea in the Champions League.
Lewis237
1
It was not an affirmative statement. He said he thinks🙄🙄🙄
Djamiz96
0
that's not a penalty it was a dive 🤣🤣🤣🤣
you are an excess fool 🤣🤣🤣
Cihdeikloy
0
Aagh freedom of speech is allowed, you cant silence people its not like he spoke bad about anyone his just voicing his opinion.
Vaoalmprt
0
Trying to steal the result again I am asking when is those corrupted referees punished . but telling the truth players will pushing.
Corrupt UEFA league
Vaoalmprt
0
Do so #Allfootball which side are u? For the rice or referee
Tucalmprtz
0
Don't you have any other news to tell?are you the ref?are you uefa or are you also pressing uefa to ban rice...you will be disappointed at the end...
Hobckmopuy
3
Rice is available and will be available
sameknops
0
Rice, if you want, you can retire now and go be a referee and remember you will also collect referee wages. Shut your mouth and play. EPL referees are the worst and they should never be allowed anywhere near UCL games.
useless people everywhere 💩
roebemrt
0
Truth hurts
A_M_Luo_FC
0
That means "NO FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN FOOTBALL
Baebeklnps
4
Is that how a referee incompetence is now rewarded..??? Rice only said what he felt and didn't mean to insult anybody, he was under pressure to voice out his disappointment on such decisions... we all know d ref made an error and that it was a penalty
Bengudmman
2
The shame of the decision is much more than banning.
Bengudmman
3
They should pretty well stop him from participating in UEFA competitions. They should crown the referee with golden crown 👑 for incompetence and corruption.
Yohabi1
4
So, robbing Arsenal of victory in the first leg is not enough they want to ban Declan Rice? They can't try such nonsense, because that will be the biggest robbery ever in the history of the UCL. UEFA should tell us: was it not a penalty or not?
zueblopstu
0
Nothing wrong with what he said, I looks like being honest is suicide this days...
doku
Lozcdlpyz
1
tell that rice, Harry Maguire missed the Chelsea game coz of the same incident. so, he's wrong to say UEFA is different from the premier League. it's just he's used to getting referring decisions go his way. simple!
Lozcdlpyz
0
He is from England so expect no action from UEFA
Harry Maguire was given a match ban.
Lozcdlpyz
0
can someone tell rice that would also be given in the premier league btw
PopIsma
5
Everyone has his own feelings about the incident so ban for what for I think they are just ashamed of what they did
Naokmptuz
0
Do EUFA and other football governing bodies think that match officials are "ANGELS" ,and therefore beyond reproach? Football players are human beings also, and have human emotions and feelings like EUFA and others. Eufa must stop taking undue advantage of football players, because they are SOFT TARGETS. Referees too make mistakes either unwittingly or induced.
even you need to be banned for your careless comment
Naokmptuz
0
wнιcн pυnιѕнмenт, нe ѕaιd de rιgнт тнιng
you didn't read the post to know that there are consequences for careless talk as a player
puaaekpyz
1
wнιcн pυnιѕнмenт, нe ѕaιd de rιgнт тнιng
SkylarJohsua
4
uefa are craps
Heuailouy
3
Heuailouy
0
veeadknr
1
This isn't good
Sebabdiouz
0
Do EUFA and other football governing bodies think that match officials are "ANGELS" ,and therefore beyond reproach? Football players are human beings also, and have human emotions and feelings like EUFA and others. Eufa must stop taking undue advantage of football players, because they are SOFT TARGETS. Referees too make mistakes either unwittingly or induced.
Vaecimprst
0
that's not a penalty it was a dive 🤣🤣🤣🤣
You fool too much. Olodo
sodcltyz
0
Arsenal will play final no matter what
Yeah Arsenal will surely play the final but the problem is whether they can win that final. Return to default mode 🤣🤣🤣
Neadenpstu
1
Rice, if you want, you can retire now and go be a referee and remember you will also collect referee wages. Shut your mouth and play. EPL referees are the worst and they should never be allowed anywhere near UCL games.
how about you shut yours you are not good enough to even put on a pair of football boot's
jatadmnosu
2
so now prayers should be banned for speaking the truth okay then they should stop responding to the questions been asked by the journalists and if the referee made a mistake players should start praising the referees
Nazabclmor
0
if Rice should get injured won't Arsenal play football again? They should ban him for speaking the truth.
Djamiz96
0
that's not a penalty it was a dive 🤣🤣🤣🤣
trophyless bum bum agh see your nyash🤣🤣🤣 arsenal gon safa
Djamiz96
0
that's not a penalty it was a dive 🤣🤣🤣🤣
a fool like you🤣🤣🤣
Tuueklptu
5
UEFA is corrupt if they punish Rice and leave the referee who made the mistake
rodcdklmuz
0
Rice, if you want, you can retire now and go be a referee and remember you will also collect referee wages. Shut your mouth and play. EPL referees are the worst and they should never be allowed anywhere near UCL games.
Vaecimprst
0
that's not a penalty it was a dive 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Only a stupid fool will say that
Vaecimprst
2
It's an obvious ban, just decide fast.
Shut up useless hater
Jieaemoty
6
Gosh, Rice was indeed right. Can't punish for speaking truth.
Nudbdiklrt
4
Arsenal will play final no matter what
bazbcdnpst
1
It's an obvious ban, just decide fast.
Nazabclmor
2
why will they punish him? He spoke the truth
jitabdipsz
0
Whatever they have to do, they better do it fast.
Djamiz96
3
that's not a penalty it was a dive 🤣🤣🤣🤣
teneiklmuy
0
Trying to steal the result again I am asking when is those corrupted referees punished . but telling the truth players will pushing.
Binlause
0
He is from England so expect no action from UEFA
What are you implying my guy?
Binlause
2
He didn't even insult anyone, an like other players
Honadeort
1
It's rare English players to b punished
Davik01
4
What's with what he said. Uefa should punish the referee for unfair decisions against arsenal.
hiwbciknrs
1
He is from England so expect no action from UEFA