Everton Teammates Applaud Idrissa Gueye Following Sincere Apology for Michael Keane Slap
The Everton midfielder was given a round of applause from his Everton teammates after delivering an apology for his shocking red card during Monday's victory at Manchester United.
Unprecedented Incident in English Football
Gueye became the first Premier League player to be dismissed for hitting a fellow player in nearly two decades when he slapped his defensive colleague during the fixture. Everton's performance was heroic as they competed with a man down for 85 minutes, including added time, to achieve David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in multiple tries.
'I want to apologise first to Michael Keane,' Gueye stated on his accounts. 'I take full responsibility for my reaction.'
Dressing Room Reaction
The Senegalese international did not get an opportunity to speak with Moyes or his colleagues at half-time. Afterwards, with the visitors' locker room celebrating after the narrow victory, the 36-year-old requested to speak to the entire group and the defender specifically.
- He expressed regret to Keane for striking him across the head
- The intense early altercation occurred after a misplaced pass in his own penalty area
- He also said sorry to the squad for leaving them with a monumental task
- Gueye's words were warmly received by the players
Possible Consequences
Gueye could still be disciplined by Everton despite the manager's statement that he likes his team members competing with each other. Moyes has a regular punishment process for dismissals and cautions, including financial penalties, which is likely to be implemented in Gueye's case.
Ban and National Team Commitments
The Merseyside club may find themselves without their influential player until the new year. Gueye will complete a three-match suspension against Newcastle United, AFC Bournemouth and Forest but might be selected for AFCON duty by his national team before he becomes eligible to play against Chelsea on mid-December.
'Emotions can run high,' Gueye continued. 'However, there's no excuse for such conduct.'
Opposition Perspective
At the same time, Mathijs de Ligt claimed his team of showing no immediacy in the recent defeat, which ended their unbeaten run at five games.
- 'The Premier League is not for the weak,' stated the Dutch defender
- 'We lacked that urgency to score goals,'
- 'Against a team like Everton,' who drop back it's difficult
The Red Devils travel to Crystal Palace for Sunday's noon kickoff. 'Our upcoming match is absolutely crucial,' commented the defender. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'