Everton star sent off for slapping own player vs Man United | Football | Sport

Everton’s Idrissa Gueye has been shown a red card in his side’s match against Manchester United for striking his own teammate Michael Keane.

The Senegal international was given his marching orders after a skirmish with Keane just 13 minutes into the Premier League clash at Old Trafford. Gueye appeared to be unhappy with centre-back Keane after a miscommunication which led to the midfielder giving the ball away inside his own half.

After words were exchanged, the pair came to head-to-head inside the 18-yard box before Gueye raised his right arm and looked to then slap Keane right on the side of his face.

Once Gueye did this, referee Tony Harrington was in no hesitation but to give him a straight red card.

Everton captain Jordan Pickford tried to calm the situation as he pulled Gueye away from Keane. However, it was too little too late as Gueye made his way towards the tunnel.

Speaking on the incident, Neville told Sky Sports: “It’s a coming together between him and Michael Keane. It always looks unsavoury when it’s teammate on teammate.

“Idrissa Gueye has gone over to Keane – he hasn’t really reacted. He just pushes him, and then there’s not much in it. There’s not much in it. I mean, I think Jordan Pickford does a very good job [breaking it up] to be fair to him.”

A statement from the Premier League read: “#MUNEVE – 13′ The referee’s call of red card to Gueye for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action deemed to be a clear strike to the face of Keane.”

At half-time, ex-Everton manager Roberto Martinez commented on the incident, saying: “No I was very surprised. You need to be intense. It’s a bit of a misunderstanding. I think the referee has no other choice.”

Jamie Carragher added: “I just think sometimes can the referee manage a situation a little bit? The actual ruling, as you’ve said, a little bit like when we talk about tackles, excessive force, we’re talking about a slap here.

“Could you just get the two of them together and say ‘eh, behave yourselves’. Sort of manage the situation rather than say ‘that’s the rule book, I am just going off exactly that. When you actually look at the rules it actually gives the referee a bit of an out.”