Put this one in the very bizarre category.
A Premier League star has been sensationally sent off this morning after slapping a teammate.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye was shown a red card by referee Tony Harrigton after slapping teammate Michael Keane in the face during the Toffees’ clash against Manchester United.
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The incident occurred just 13 minutes into the match with the scores level at 0.
Remarkably, a brave Everton side went onto to record a 1-0 result despite the one-man disadvantage for 80 minutes, thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s stunning goal in the 29th minute.
Gueye and Keane exchanged words after Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes missed a scoring chance, with Keane seemingly taking exception to Gueye’s effort in defence.
In stunning scenes, Keane shoved Gueye who then retaliated with a slap to the face. Gueye then had to be restrained by two Everton players.
One of those players was keeper Jordan Pickford, with Gueye grabbing Pickford by the neck as the goalie tried to push him away from Keane.
“The referee’s call of red card to Gueye for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR — with the action deemed to be a clear strike to the face of Keane,” the Premier League Match Centre said.
Gueye took to social media after his brain explosion, apologising to Keane, his teammates and the Everton supporter base.
England football legends Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen had their say on the incident, with the pair both believing a red card was the right call.
“The ref did his job it is a red car but it’s just disappointing,” Rooney said.
“Of course you can get a bit heated with teammates but you shouldn’t be striking your teamates in the face.
“It is not a good look. It shows they care, it shows that they want to win and get angry if something goes wrong,” Owen added.
“Slapping somebody in the face is going over the line. It’s hard to argue anything other than a red card is the right decision.”
While hard to comprehend, it’s not the first time this has occurred in an EPL match.
In 2008, Ricardo Fuller was red carded for fighting with Stoke teammate Andy Griffin.
Three years earlier, Newcastle teammates Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer were both given their marching orders for fighting during a game against Aston Villa.