'The narratives they bring out' – Joel Veltman's wife hits out at pundits after Declan Rice furore

Naomi Veltman, the wife of Brighton defender Joel Veltman, believes pundits could be placing footballers and their families in danger following Brighton’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal last Saturday.

Albion full-back Veltman was involved in the major talking point of the Premier League last Saturday after Arsenal’s Declan Rice was sent-off following an altercation with the former Ajax man.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was “amazed” by the decision of Chris Kavanagh to show Rice the first red card of his career and insisted it changed the game after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton.

Arsenal looked on course for all three points when Kai Havertz put them ahead in the 38th minute, but Rice received his marching orders 11 minutes later.

Referee Kavanagh showed Rice a second yellow card after the England international subtly kicked away the ball from a Brighton free-kick by the corner flag to delay the restart.

No caution was given to Veltman, who caught Rice in his follow through, and Arsenal failed to hold on with 10-men as Joao Pedro equalised with 58 minutes played and it ended 1-1 in front of a fired up Emirates Stadium crowd.

Veltman claimed he was trying to take a quick free-kick but the Albion ace was accused by pundits of gamesmanship, which led to plenty of criticism of Veltman on social media.

Naomi posted: "Analysts on TV should be held accountable for the narratives they bring out. It is not only untrue, it also puts players and their families in dangerous situations.”

Former Liverpool and Tottenham striker Peter Crouch was on pundit duty for TNT Sports at the Emirates. He said: “Listen, everyone who's played football understands what's happened there. Veltman has quite simply played the referee.

“He's trying to play a pass 60 yards to nobody. He's literally trying to get Declan Rice. We know he's on yellow card. It's worked. Veltman, there's a bit of housery involved and Veltman definitely played the referee.”

Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown added: “Declan actually knocks the ball away. Well, look, why is Veltman just knocking this ball into Rice's path, and where is, where's he supposed to go?,” he told TNT Sports. “It's almost like a free punt. Okay, I know what, I'll do somebody as well at the same time.”

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler backed his defender. "First of all Declan shoots the ball away. For me it's a clear red card. He shoots the ball away, it's wasting time so there are now two opinions."