Idrissa Gueye received warm applause from his Everton teammates after apologising for the incident that saw him sent off for striking Michael Keane during their 1–0 win over Manchester United.
The midfielder became the first Premier League player in 17 years to be dismissed for hitting a teammate after slapping Keane during a heated exchange in the 13th minute. The clash followed Gueye’s misplaced pass that led to a dangerous chance for Bruno Fernandes.
After the match, with the squad celebrating a memorable victory at Old Trafford, Gueye asked to address the team and personally apologised to Keane and the rest of the squad. He also thanked his teammates for completing the match with 10 men and securing the win. His apology was met with a round of applause in the dressing room.
Everton manager David Moyes admitted he “likes my players fighting each other” but the club is expected to follow its usual disciplinary procedures, which could include a fine.
Gueye will serve a three-match suspension and could also be called up for Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, potentially ruling him out until mid-December.
The 36-year-old later issued a public apology on social media, taking full responsibility and promising the incident would not be repeated.
