Idrissa Gueye was applauded by his Everton teammates after apologising for being sent off for striking Michael Keane during Monday’s 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Gueye became the first Premier League player in 17 years to be dismissed for hitting a teammate after slapping Keane following a heated exchange. The incident came after Gueye’s misplaced pass nearly led to a Bruno Fernandes chance. Despite playing with 10 men for most of the match, Everton held on to win, giving David Moyes his first victory at Old Trafford as a visiting manager.
After the game, Gueye addressed the squad and apologised directly to Keane and his teammates for leaving them a man down. His speech was met with a round of applause in the dressing room.
Although Moyes joked that he likes to see “players fighting each other”, Everton are expected to apply standard internal disciplinary measures. Gueye will serve a three-match ban and could miss further games if called up by Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Gueye also posted a public apology, taking full responsibility and promising the incident would not happen again.
