Idrissa Gueye has publicly expressed remorse following his ejection during the match against Manchester United, where he slapped teammate Michael Keane in a surprising turn of events on the pitch.
Following a tense confrontation with Keane, teammates including goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Iliman Ndiaye intervened as Gueye made his way off the field, clearly upset by the situation.
Despite the red card, Everton managed to secure a remarkable victory at Old Trafford, playing more than 80 minutes with just 10 men, thanks to a first-half goal from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Gueye offered his apologies: “First and foremost, I want to apologize to my teammate Michael Keane. I take full responsibility for my reaction,” he stated. He continued, “I also apologize to my teammates, the coaching staff, the fans, and the club. This incident does not represent who I am or my core values. While emotions can run high, that does not justify my behavior. I promise to ensure such an incident will never occur again.”
Everton’s manager, David Moyes, mentioned during the post-match discussions that Gueye had previously reached out to Keane to apologize in private but questioned whether referee Tony Harrington acted too hastily in showing the red card.
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Moyes stated, “Had there been no altercation, I doubt anyone in the stadium would have been shocked.” He also expressed that the referee might have benefitted from taking a little more time before making such a critical decision. “I’ve been told that in accordance with the rules, if a player slaps a teammate, it could lead to a red card.” He added, “However, there’s another perspective: I appreciate my players showing passion and confronting each other when something is amiss. It’s part of the toughness and determination needed to secure results.”
Moyes indicated disappointment over the sending-off but acknowledged that such frustrations are common among footballers. “He’s taken responsibility for the incident, commending his teammates for their performance and expressing regret for what transpired.”
As a result of the red card for violent conduct, Gueye will face a three-match suspension. However, given that he will be participating in the Africa Cup of Nations starting in early December, he may not suit up for Everton again for several weeks.
