- It’s now a hard task for Everton player Idrissa Gueye to defend himself against claims that he is the most violent footballer
- His moment of anger cost him his reputation and huge fines for misconduct are just about to be served
- Gueye also put his hands on Jordan Pickford, another teammate who tried to separate the fight against him and Keane
It’s now a hard task for Everton player Idrissa Gueye to defend himself against claims that he is the most violent footballer in the English Premier League (EPL).
His recent flare hasn’t made things any better for him. His moment of anger cost him his reputation, and huge fines for misconduct are just about to be served.
Gueye earned a red card in the 13th minute following his violent attack on his teammate, Michael Keane.
Gueye also put his hands on Jordan Pickford, another teammate who tried to separate the fight between him and Keane.
He was dramatically sent off the pitch for this insolent behaviour, triggering a debate among football fans about the incident. Some stated that although Gueye was wrong, Keane should have gotten a red card too since ‘he started the fight’.
What Did Idrissa Gueye Do?
The Senegalese footballer struck Keane during Everton’s match against Manchester United on Sunday. It all started with Idrissa Gueye when Bruno Fernandes of United was about to score in the 13th minute.
Trouble sparked off for Keane and Gueye at Old Trafford. Keane shoved Gueye away twice, before the Senegalese lost his cool and slapped him.
Everton’s goalkeeper, Pickford tried to separate them but he was also pushed away by Gueye forcing the referee, Tony Harrington to issue Gueye a red card.
He later asked his fans to forgive him for his conduct saying that he let anger control him. Idrissa Gueye asked Keane to forgive him saying that his actions do not represent who he is, and what he stands for.
I want to apologise first to my teammate Michael Keane. I take full responsibility for my reaction. I also apologise to my teammates, the staff, the fans and the club. What happened does not reflect who l am or the values I stand for. Emotions can run high, but nothing justifies such behaviour. I’ll make sure it never happens again,” his apology read.
His teammates at Everton praised him for taking responsibility of his bad behaviour and apologizing.
How Fans Reacted
Premier League Match Centre in a statement on X said that Harrington issued the red card after confirmation by VAR that Gueye struck Keane on the face.
It added that the referee did as stipulated by FIFA in the case of such a violent attack. The law is clear that a player gets a red card if she/he strikes another player on the face or head with their arm or hand with significant force.
Nevertheless, United manager Ruben Amorim said that the red card issued to Idrissa Gueye was unwarranted.
He disagreed with the referee saying that though Gueye was violent, it did not merit a red card.
Kofi M Jaminja said that Gueye did the right thing by apologizing to Keane over the incident.
“Jordan Pickford demonstrated leadership but it is important Iddrisa Gana Gueye has apologised to Micheal Keane. Even more important is the fact that Everton won the match despite being reduced to 10-men,” he said.
Basol Leboy had a different theory stating that Gueye slapped Keane as a reaction and not an action.
“They wouldn’t show you how he shuffle Gana first.. the slap was a Reaction..not an Action,” he said.
John Halls: “So many people on here saying the ref made the correct decision. They are just copying others. I disagree!! Ref could have just had a word with them & perhaps even given them both a yellow. Red card was an overreaction imo & I don’t support either team!”
