Controversy Erupts as Gueye Receives Rare Red Card for Team-Mate Incident

omidbasir- In a striking parallel to the infamous Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer incident involving Newcastle United in 2005, Idrissa Gueye found himself at the center of controversy after a clash with his Everton teammate Michael Keane during a Premier League match on Monday night. Gueye was promptly issued a red card, a decision that the Premier League swiftly clarified.

The Premier League match center stated on X, “The referee’s red card for Gueye due to violent conduct was reviewed and confirmed by VAR, with the action categorized as a clear strike to the face of Keane.”

Commentator and United legend Gary Neville expressed his astonishment at the incident while praising Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for his attempts to mitigate the situation. He remarked, “There was a coming together between Gueye and Michael Keane. It is always unsettling when a teammate is involved. Gueye approached Keane, who did not react strongly; he merely pushed him, and there was not much in it. Jordan Pickford handled the situation commendably.”

Social media erupted with varied reactions. User @agbnufc_ commented on X, “Shades of Bowyer vs Dyer, you love to see it.” Another user, @ChelsChris03, described it as “the softest red card I’ve ever seen,” suggesting that such a decision would not have been made if it were two players from the same team.

@0xJonnyDee criticized Gueye’s actions, stating, “What a moron. Slapping your own teammate and getting sent off for it is something I haven’t seen in a long time.” User @ViscogliosiLuca questioned, “Is that really worthy of a red card? It seemed like just a bit of handbags, nothing more.”

Others chimed in with humor and disbelief. @brxdzQPR suggested, “Get a camera in that halftime dressing room and interview Gueye immediately. That’s the only time I’d advocate for a halftime interview.” Meanwhile, @Alexander_divi exclaimed, “MICHAEL KEANE CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT HE JUST WITNESSED. HE GOT SLAPPED IN THE FACE BY HIS OWN TEAMMATE WHO THEN GOT SENT OFF.”

User @mevans_11 concurred with Neville’s assessment, stating, “I think a yellow would’ve sufficed. If that had been against an opponent, it would likely only be a yellow half the time. Given it was against a teammate, it should have been even less severe.”

Commentator Neville further analyzed the situation, questioning whether the action constituted violent conduct as described in the laws of the game. He stated, “Was it negligible? That’s the question. I believe it was. There wasn’t much to it at all; it wasn’t a fight. This could have been handled with a yellow card. I can only imagine the conversation between Gueye and Keane in the dressing room. How will that unfold?”

Following this match, Ruben Amorim’s United will conclude November with an away game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday, while David Moyes’ Everton will host Newcastle United the day prior. The Red Devils will kick off December against struggling West Ham next Thursday, with the Toffees facing Bournemouth two days earlier.