Toffees Squad Members Give Applause to Idrissa Gueye After Apology for Keane Incident
Idrissa Gueye was given a warm ovation from his Everton teammates after issuing an explanation for his extraordinary red card during Monday's triumph at Old Trafford.
Rare Incident in Premier League
The midfielder became the first Premier League player to be sent off for striking a fellow player in nearly two decades when he struck Michael Keane during the fixture. Everton's display was remarkable as they competed with 10 men for 85 minutes, including added time, to achieve David Moyes' initial victory at Old Trafford as a away coach in multiple tries.
'My first apology goes to Michael Keane,' he wrote on his accounts. 'I accept complete responsibility for my actions.'
Dressing Room Reaction
The Senegalese international did not get an chance to converse with Moyes or his colleagues at the interval. Following the match, with the visitors' locker room buzzing after the 1-0 win, the 36-year-old requested to speak to the entire group and Keane in particular.
- Gueye apologized to the defender for slapping him across the head
- The intense 13th-minute confrontation occurred after a poor distribution in his own defensive third
- He also apologized to the team for leaving them with a difficult challenge
- His apology were warmly received by the players
Potential Ramifications
The 36-year-old could still be punished by Everton despite Moyes' admission that he likes his team members competing with each other. The Scot has a regular disciplinary procedure for dismissals and cautions, including fines, which is expected to be implemented in this situation.
Suspension and International Duty
The Merseyside club could be without their key midfielder until the new year. The Senegalese international will serve a three-game suspension against Newcastle United, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but could be selected for AFCON responsibilities by Senegal before he becomes eligible to play against the Blues on 13 December.
'Emotions can run high,' Gueye continued. 'However, there's no excuse for such conduct.'
Rival Reaction
At the same time, the Manchester United defender accused his team of lacking immediacy in the recent loss, which halted their unbeaten run at multiple matches.
- 'The Premier League is not for the weak,' said the Netherlands international
- 'We lacked that urgency to score goals,'
- 'When facing sides like Everton,' who drop back it becomes challenging
United travel to Selhurst Park for the weekend lunchtime start. 'Our upcoming match is absolutely crucial,' said the defender. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'