Idrissa Gueye Sent Off: The Controversial Slap That Disrupted Everton’s Match Against Michael Keane – Officials’ Audio Revealed

Gueye saw red when the two came together following a heated discussion at the end of a Man Utd attack, with Gueye clearly raising his hand to his Toffees colleague.

Everton went on to win the game 1-0 despite the early dismissal, and boss David Moyes said after the game he felt Harrington rushed his decision. He later revealed a club appeal against the decision had been turned down but said he had been given “no reason” by the PGMO.

Replaying the audio of the incident and subsequent VAR review on the latest edition of Mic’d Up on Sky Sports revealed VAR official Paul Howard had viewed the contact as a “clear strike to the face” and confirmed Harrington’s on-field decision.

WHAT THE OFFICIALS SAID:

Referee: “Red card on-field for a slap by [Gueye].”

VAR: “Checking the on-field decision of red card for [Gueye]… There’s an action by [Gueye]. I also want to check the action of Michael Keane here before that, please.”

Assistant VAR: “Okay yeah, I’ve seen a slap.”

VAR: “Confirming the on-field decision of red card. [Gueye] clear strike to the face of Michael Keane.”

WEBB’S VERDICT:

Idrissa Gueye was sent off for violent conduct, which comes under Law 12. According to Law 12, a player must be sent off if they use excessive force or brutality against an opponent, a teammate, a team official, or a match official.

But when the referee in this case sees Gueye clearly slap Keane, his teammate, across the face, he’s got very little choice but to act as per the Laws of the Game.

I’m sure the referee in this situation felt that he was put in a pretty difficult position – we want referees to use their personality – we used to always say Law 18 was common sense, the next law after the first 17, but we’ve also got to apply the Laws as well.

When it’s so clear that an act of violent conduct has happened, to the face, and it’s stipulated in the Laws of the Game that it has to be a red card, I don’t think you can do anything other than send the player off and the referee, in this case Tony Harrington, did the right thing.

Should Georginio Rutter’s equaliser vs West Ham have stood?

Georgino Rutter’s late equaliser in Brighton’s 1-1 draw at home to West Ham was checked by the VAR for two potential issues – a high foot and handball.

Rutters’ initial shot is saved and then he is teed up by Jan Paul van Hecke to score.

WHAT THE OFFICIALS SAID:

VAR: “Possible high foot, possible handball.”

Referee: “No. Goal.”

Referee, speaking to West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen: “There’s an accidental handball for me in the potential build-up, but it’s not a deliberate handball. It’s an accidental handball, so wait there.”

“The bicycle kick’s never a foul for me. If it has hit his right hand, it’s an accidental handball, his hands are down there, for me. But they’ll have a look at it, alright?”

VAR: “It’s not immediate [before the goal]. So we’ve got to judge now only if that is a deliberate handball or not.”

VAR, speaking to referee: “Ok Simon [Hooper], confirming the on-field decision of goal. There is an accidental handball by 10, but it’s not immediately prior to the goal. It comes off the thigh and touches the arm. So confirm the on-field decision of goal.”

WEBB’S VERDICT ON THE GOAL:

This is quite an unusual situation because the player who eventually scores a goal, in this case Georginio Rutter, actually made contact with the ball with his hand in the attacking phase before the goal.

But what’s important is that he didn’t immediately score after that contact. For some years now, you haven’t been able to score a goal immediately after the ball hitting your hand or arm.

It’s a non-deliberate handball and, therefore, the only time you could penalise him is if he scored immediately, which he didn’t.

What led to Idrissa Gueye’s red card?

Gueye was sent off for slapping teammate Michael Keane during a match.

What did PGMO chief Howard Webb say about the incident?

Webb stated that the referee had “very little choice” due to the laws of the game.

Did Everton win the match despite the red card?

Yes, Everton won the game 1-0 against Manchester United.

Was there a successful appeal against Gueye’s red card?

No, the club’s appeal was turned down without providing a reason.

What did VAR conclude about Gueye’s action?

VAR confirmed that it was a “clear strike to the face,” backing the referee’s decision.

What was the outcome regarding Georginio Rutter’s goal?

The goal stood as it was deemed an accidental handball, not immediate prior.