In a highly unusual turn of events, Idrissa Gueye was sent off just 13 minutes into his club’s Premier League fixture after striking his own teammate — a first in the league since 2008. The Senegalese international’s action sparked widespread discussion and leaves Everton facing not only a suspension scenario but a reputational moment of reckoning.

The Incident

Gueye was dismissed by referee Tony Harrington during the match at Old Trafford after a heated confrontation with teammate Michael Keane. After Gueye’s pass inside his penalty area went astray, Manchester United mounted a threat, and a dispute erupted between Gueye and Keane. Gueye responded by striking Keane in the face with his left hand; VAR confirmed the decision for violent conduct.

The red card came in the 13th minute, leaving Everton with ten players for virtually the entire match. Remarkably, they still went on to secure a 1-0 win thanks to a goal by Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall and a heroic performance by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Apology & Immediate Fallout

After the match, Gueye took to Instagram to issue a full apology:

“I want to apologise first to my teammate, Michael Keane. I take full responsibility for my reaction. I also apologise to my teammates, the staff, the fans and the club. What happened doesn’t reflect who I am or the values I stand for. Emotions can run high, but nothing justifies such behaviour. I’ll make sure it never happens again.” Sportsnet.ca

Everton manager David Moyes expressed surprise at the decision, stating that while he understands the letter of the law, he did not believe the incident warranted such a swift red card — though he praised Gueye’s apology and acknowledged his role in motivating his side.

According to Premier League rules, a straight red card for violent conduct carries a minimum two-match suspension; however, given the severity (striking a teammate) this could be extended. Should it be two matches, the 36-year-old may miss key games against teams like Newcastle United and Bournemouth.

Despite playing almost the entire match with a man down, Everton managed to hold on — their first victory at Old Trafford since 2013. The win moves them level on points with Manchester United, though the red card incident will overshadow much of the analysis from the night.