Idrissa Gueye was shown a red card for violent conduct after slapping teammate Michael Keane during Everton's match against Manchester United.
Idrissa Gueye clashes with teammate Michael Keane resulting in a red card for Gueye during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton.
Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane clashed in the first half of Everton's Premier League clash vs Man United.
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Everton are bracing themselves for a spell without Idrissa Gueye following his bizarre red card in the match against Manchester United. The Toffees' midfielder was given his marching orders after an on-pitch confrontation with teammate Michael Keane, which saw goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stepping in to separate the pair.
The referee spotted the incident and promptly showed Gueye the red card. The decision was then reviewed and upheld by VAR.
The Premier League Match Centre official account clarified: "The referee's call of red card to Gueye for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action deemed to be a clear strike to the face of Keane."
Gary Neville, providing commentary for Sky Sports, said: "It's a coming together between him and Michael Keane. It always looks unsavoury when it's teammate on teammate.
"Idrissa Gueye has gone over to Keane - he hasn't really reacted. He just pushes him, and then there's not much in it. There's not much in it. I mean, I think Jordan Pickford does a very good job [breaking it up] to be fair to him.", reports the Mirror.
Gueye's dismissal won't only affect Everton's game against United. As he was sent off for violent conduct, he will also serve a three-match suspension.
This means he'll miss Premier League fixtures against Newcastle (H), Bournemouth (A) and Nottingham Forest (H). In addition to this, the midfielder is likely to face a fine from both the FA and potentially his own club.
The ban will see Gueye largely absent from Everton's line-up over the coming months. His involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal could then see him out of action until mid-January when the tournament concludes.
Idrissa Gana Gueye is restrained by team mate Jordan Pickford as he clashes with Michael Keane during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton.
Idrissa Gueye clashed with teammate Michael Keane during Everton's Premier League clash against Manchester United.
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The competition kicks off on Sunday, 21 December, which means he is likely to miss Everton's Premier League match against Arsenal on Saturday, 20 December - and possibly even the clash with Chelsea the week prior, depending on his departure for Morocco.
Despite being a man down, Everton managed to take the lead in the first half thanks to summer signing Kieran Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder found the back of the net in the 29th minute, giving the Toffees a lead to defend.
At half time, Sky Sports' pundit Jamie Carragher was unsure if the 'slap' was worthy of a red card.
He told Monday Night Football: "I just think sometimes can a referee manage a situation a little bit.
"It's a little bit like tackles when we are talking about excessive force but we are talking about a slap here. Could you just get the two of them together and say 'eh, behave yourselves'.
"Sort of manage the situation rather than say 'that's the rule book, I am just going off exactly that. When you actually look at the rules it actually gives the referee a bit of an out."
Former Everton boss Roberto Martinez disagreed slightly, however, claiming the referee was left with little option but to show the red card. "I was very surprised because you need to be intense. You need to be intense. The reaction here, you've got a lot of bodies in the box.
"Obviously it's a bit of a misunderstanding [Gueye trying to play the ball to Keane and they blame each other]. Clearly it's a misunderstanding, Gueye is trying to play the ball but it's that reaction here, that slap, open hand.
"We've been talking about it many times. I think the referee has no other choice. When you see it there, the law tells you any aggression above the neck is a red card."