A highly unusual incident occurred in the Premier League when a player was shown a red card for fighting with his own teammate. The incident took place on Monday during the match between Everton and Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off after he got into a heated argument with teammate Michael Keane. This marks the first time in 17 years that a Premier League player has been dismissed for clashing with a fellow teammate.
The confrontation began in the 13th minute when a misdirected pass from Gueye allowed Bruno Fernandes to take a shot that narrowly missed the goal. Gueye appeared frustrated that Keane did not attempt to reach his pass, and the situation escalated quickly as the two players started shoving each other.
The tension intensified when Gueye slapped Keane across the face, prompting referee Tony Harrington to issue a straight red card. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stepped in to separate the players and calm the situation.
Gueye, known for his usually calm demeanor, later apologized to Keane, the club, and fans through an Instagram story. He admitted that emotions can sometimes get out of control but acknowledged that such behavior is unacceptable and vowed it would not happen again.
During the match, the Premier League Match Centre confirmed that the red card decision had been reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The on-field decision was upheld, as the slap was deemed an act of violent conduct—an offense that warrants an immediate dismissal.
