Controversial Red Card: Gueye’s Dismissal Sparks Debate

In a moment reminiscent of the infamous clash between Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer, Idrissa Gueye of Newcastle United found himself at the center of controversy on Monday night after a confrontation with his Everton teammate, Michael Keane. Gueye received a red card shortly thereafter, prompting the Premier League to clarify the decision.

The Premier League’s match center stated on their social media platform, X, that the referee’s red card call for Gueye was checked and upheld by VAR, as it was deemed a clear strike to the face of Keane.

Sky Sports commentator and United legend Gary Neville expressed his astonishment at the incident while commending Everton’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, for attempting to de-escalate the situation. He remarked, “There was a coming together between him and Michael Keane. It always looks unsavory when it involves teammates. Idrissa Gueye approached Michael Keane, who did not react aggressively. He simply pushed back, and there was not much to it. Jordan Pickford handled the situation well.”

Fans took to X to share their thoughts. User @agbnufc_ commented, “Shades of Bowyer vs Dyer—you love to see it.” Meanwhile, @ChelsChris03 expressed disbelief, stating, “That is the softest red card I’ve ever seen. If it were two United players, it would not have been a red.” Another user, @0xJonnyDee, called Gueye a “moron” for slapping his own teammate and getting sent off.

Commentator @ViscogliosiLuca questioned the severity of the decision, asking, “Is that really worthy of a red card? It was just a bit of handbags, nothing more.”

User @brxdzQPR suggested the need for immediate post-match interviews in the dressing room, while @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.” Fellow fan @mevans_11 concurred with Neville’s assessment, suggesting, “A yellow card would have sufficed. If that had been against an opponent, I think it would have been a yellow half the time. Given it was his own teammate, it should have been even more likely to be a yellow.”

The debate continued with @ftbIdxniel stating, “Game’s gone,” and @Ash_LFC7 expressing frustration with the decision-making of the PGMOL, labeling them as an embarrassment.

According to BBC Sport, both Arsenal and Everton now hold the record for the most red cards in Premier League history, each with 110 dismissals. Notably, Gueye became the first player to receive a red card for a teammate altercation since the infamous incident involving Stoke City’s Ricardo Fuller and Andy Griffin in December 2008.

The laws surrounding ‘violent conduct’ stipulate that sending off offenses include striking an opponent or any person on the head or face with the hand or arm, unless the force applied is negligible. Neville posited that this incident could have easily been avoided with a different card being issued. “Was it negligible? That’s the question. I think it was negligible; there wasn’t much in that. They were not fighting; it wasn’t a scrap. It could have been dealt with by a yellow card. I’m curious to see how the conversation goes between Gueye and Keane in the dressing room.”

Looking ahead, Ruben Amorim’s United will conclude November with an away match at Crystal Palace on Sunday, while David Moyes’ Everton is set to host Newcastle United the day before. The Red Devils will then commence December against lowly West Ham next Thursday, and the Toffees will face Bournemouth two days earlier.