Idrissa Gueye Sent Off for Violent Conduct in Premier League Clash

Idrissa Gueye experienced his second red card in the Premier League during his 241st appearance, marking his first dismissal since October 2017.

In a recent match against Manchester United, the Everton midfielder was sent off after a confrontation with his teammate, Michael Keane. The incident occurred in the 13th minute at Old Trafford while the game remained scoreless, shortly after United’s Bruno Fernandes threatened to score.

During the altercation, Keane appeared to push Gueye away on two occasions, leading to Gueye seemingly placing his hand on Keane’s face. The situation escalated to the point where Everton’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, intervened to separate the two players. Subsequently, referee Tony Harrington issued a straight red card to Gueye for violent conduct.

The Premier League Match Centre later confirmed on X that the referee’s decision was validated by VAR, which determined that Gueye’s action constituted a clear strike to Keane’s face. According to the laws governing violent conduct, a player can be sent off for striking an opponent or any other individual on the head or face with their hand or arm, unless the force used is deemed negligible.

Discussing the incident on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, former Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart remarked that there may have been pre-existing tensions between the players. “The referee wasn’t close enough to hear what Gueye was saying, but he was clearly in Keane’s face, who is significantly larger and pushed him away with one arm,” Hart noted. He added, “When Gueye returned to continue the dispute, the referee casually approached and sent him off. Jordan Pickford handled the situation well. However, if that was the extent of the incident, it hardly warrants a red card; there must have been more going on between them.”

Despite being down to ten men, Everton managed to take the lead with a goal from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the 29th minute.