Everton manager David Moyes says the Football Association rejected the club’s appeal against Idrissa Gueye’s red card “with no reason” provided, leaving the midfielder sidelined for three crucial Premier League matches.
Gueye, 36, was sent off just 13 minutes into Everton’s 1–0 win over Manchester United on Monday after he slapped team-mate Michael Keane during a heated exchange. Jordan Pickford stepped in to break up the confrontation, and referee Tony Harrington immediately issued a straight red card for violent conduct.
The dismissal carries an automatic three-match suspension, ruling Gueye out of upcoming league games against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.
“We have appealed [against the red card] and our appeal was turned down,” Moyes said. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down, but we did appeal it — immediately.”
Everton later posted a photo of Gueye and Keane wearing boxing gloves and embracing, signaling the matter had been settled internally.
“It was over immediately,” Moyes said on Friday. “It was done, that was it. We moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the dressing room. We want passion… but we certainly want that passion and commitment from all the players.”
Gueye has started every Premier League match for Everton this season and is also expected to depart in December to join Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations, deepening the club’s midfield concerns.
Moyes confirmed that German midfielder Merlin Rohl remains out after hernia surgery, while captain Seamus Coleman is recovering from a minor hamstring problem following his early substitution at Old Trafford.
“Yes, we are [light in midfield],” Moyes admitted. “Merlin having an operation has made us light… but we have other people who can play in there — Charly Alcaraz, Dwight McNeil if we need to.”
Rohl is not expected to return before January, while Gueye’s suspension and AFCON commitments further limit Moyes’ options.
Everton return to Premier League action on Saturday at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where they host Newcastle at 17:30 GMT. Before kickoff, the club will unveil a new memorial honoring former midfielder Gary Speed, who died at age 42 in 2011.
To mark the 14th anniversary of his passing, Everton have installed a “talking bench” on the stadium’s fan plaza to encourage conversation, combat loneliness, and guide supporters toward mental-health resources. Speed made 65 appearances for Everton before later representing Newcastle more than 200 times.
