Idrissa Gana Gueye was shown a straight red card in Everton’s win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
After a mistake by Michael Keane in the opening period of the game, Idrissa Gana Gueye completely lost it at his Everton teammate.
Should Gueye have been sent off?
The pair exchanged some fierce words, but Gueye made it physical by slapping Keane, and referee Tony Harrington deemed his swipe as violent conduct.
It was a controversial decision that left many baffled, as the contact looked fairly minimal, so Everton News have spoken exclusively to former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg to get his verdict.
Everton teammates Idrissa Gana Gueye and Michael Keane go head to head.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg says the referee was correct to send off Idrissa Gueye
Clattenburg exclusively told Everton News that Harrington made the correct decision to send off Gueye by the letter of the law.
“Technically, the referee is right to send off Idrissa Gueye for a slap on the face of his own teammate Michael Keane.
What was Gueye thinking?
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“It brings back many years ago the altercation between Bowyer and Dyer while both playing for Newcastle.
“The act of striking another player, even if it’s a team mate, is a sending off offence. Some people will argue that the slap was soft, but it’s the act that is punishable, so it’s irrelevant on how much force was used.
“The sending off will also trigger at least a three-match suspension, as he was sent off for violent conduct.”
Gary Neville disagrees with Gueye’s red card for Michael Keane slap
“How much venom was in that slap? He has been sent off for that. Was it a little slap or a whack? There is no doubt a hand comes out to the face, but it didn’t look like too much.
“They might have to send him off purely because there is a strike to the face. They were not fighting; it wasn’t a scrap. It could have been dealt with by a yellow; I don’t think it needed to be a red.”
Idrissa Gueye now only has one game left before he leaves for AFCON
Gueye will now have to serve a suspension against Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.
That means he won’t be available until the 13th of December, when Everton face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Senegal international will then depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, which could see him absent until the 18th of January – the final of the tournament.
So Moyes only has Gueye for one more game this year, meaning he’ll very quickly have to find a solution in the middle of the park.
Merlin Rohl’s injury has come at the worst possible time, as he is expected to be out for the next few weeks after undergoing surgery on his hernia.
Tim Iroegbunam will likely come in, partnering with James Garner.
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