Declan Rice Addresses Kylian Mbappé Penalty Appeal Controversy
In a dramatic UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash between Arsenal and Real Madrid, Declan Rice found himself at the center of a contentious penalty appeal involving Kylian Mbappé. The incident occurred during the first half of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Arsenal holding a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead.
The controversy began when referee François Letexier awarded Real Madrid a penalty, citing Rice for allegedly pulling back Mbappé inside the box. The decision sparked immediate debate, with Rice visibly frustrated and adamant that the contact was minimal. After a lengthy VAR review, the penalty decision was overturned, and Rice's yellow card was rescinded.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Rice shared his perspective on the incident. "I knew it wasn’t a penalty," he stated. "Don’t get me wrong, I had my arm on him, but you have to do that in the box to try and stop him. I wasn’t going to let him go, but I knew it wasn’t a foul. I’m an honest guy—I told Mbappé and the referee straight away that it wasn’t a penalty. If I had pulled him down, I would have admitted it."
Rice's candid remarks highlighted his confidence in the VAR process and his commitment to fair play. The overturned decision proved pivotal, as Arsenal went on to secure a 5-1 aggregate victory, advancing to the semi-finals for the first time since 2009.
While the penalty appeal added a layer of drama to an already intense match, Rice's composure and honesty earned him praise from fans and pundits alike. Arsenal now prepares to face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, with Rice expected to play a crucial role in their pursuit of European glory.
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