Everton have had an appeal to have Idrissa Gueye’s red card rescinded rejected but The FA are yet to explain their reasons to the Merseyside club.
The Senegal midfielder became only the third person in Premier League history to be sent off for fighting with his own team-mate on Monday, when he clashed with Michael Keane during the 1-0 win at Manchester United.
Following the game, Everton manager David Moyes noted he ‘loved’ to see his players placing high expectations on each other but he was frustrated that referee Tony Harrington did not wait before making his decision.
Moyes felt the punishment did not reflect the misdemeanour and Everton contacted The FA to see if they could challenge the suspension.
However, they were left disappointed and are now short of options in midfield.
Idrissa Gana Gueye celebrates a goal with his teammate Michael Keane. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Gueye will serve a three-match ban, starting against Newcastle United, but he has other significant absentees including Merlin Rohl, the Germany Under-21 international who is injured and out until the New Year.
‘We thought there wasn’t enough and that the action deserved the red card,’ said Moyes. ‘I don’t think there were many people in football who thought it was a sending off as well.
‘What has it become now that team-mates are having an argument and you are sending them off? At the moment we have not had a reason back for why it has not been successful.’
Gueye said sorry in the dressing room at Old Trafford for letting his team-mates down and while it is undecided whether he will face a club fine, it is highly likely he will have to buy dinner for the rest of the squad at some point.
