When Idrissa Gueye’s hand met Michael Keane’s face on Monday night time, the Everton participant risked reigniting an age-old jinx.
The Premier League hadn’t seen an incident of a participant being dismissed for hitting a former teammate since December 2008, when Ricardo Fuller struck Stoke’s captain Andy Griffin.
Following that altercation, Fuller and Griffin by no means shared a pitch once more. Griffin ultimately left the staff in 2010 after a falling-out with supervisor Tony Pulis.
Such clashes amongst teammates should not unusual. Emmanuel Adebayor famously broke Nicklas Bendtner’s nostril throughout a 2008 Arsenal match. A yr earlier, Craig Bellamy swung a golf membership at John Arne Riise throughout their time at Liverpool, although that incident didn’t happen throughout a match.
Right here, Every day Mail Sport delves into a few of the most electrifying breakdowns between soccer comrades.
Idrissa Gueye’s slap on Michael Keane was not the primary team-mate combat in English soccer
Ricardo Fuller was despatched off for slapping Stoke captain Andy Griffin (not pictured) in 2008
Bruce Grobbelaar and Steve McManaman, 1993
One memorable incident occurred when Liverpool’s Bruce Grobbelaar was livid after Steve McManaman’s poor clearance allowed Everton to attain first within the Merseyside derby in September 1993.
After Mark Ward thumped a strike into the nook, the stopper charged over to McManaman and raged at him.
Tempers exploded when Grobbelaar grabbed the teen by the jaw and shoved his head backwards.
McManaman landed a two-handed shove in return earlier than clearing off because the Zimbabwean continued to splutter with rage.
Happily neither man was despatched off however Liverpool slumped to a 3rd straight defeat as Tony Cottee struck late to seal a 2-0 win for the Toffees at Goodison Park.
Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer, 2005
Newcastle males Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer have been each despatched off after an apoplectic conflict at St James’ Park in April 2005.
Toon have been already shedding 3-0 and right down to 10 males in opposition to Aston Villa when the midfield pair got here to blows.
Bowyer has since defined he was fuming that Dyer uncared for to go to him in scoring positions a number of occasions all through the sport, although he says the feud didn’t keep it up past it – one thing for which Moyes can have his fingers crossed. They have been each suspended for an FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Manchester United, which the Magpies misplaced 4-1.
In equity to them, each appeared deeply ashamed as they apologised to followers within the aftermath.
Supervisor Graeme Souness couldn’t consider what he had seen. ‘I believe it’s a first for me, I’ve by no means witnessed that earlier than,’ he mentioned. ‘Phrases between gamers, onerous phrases between gamers happen in each recreation of soccer and it is vitally uncommon for it to result in what occurred at this time.’
Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer had an explosive conflict as Newcastle have been pummelled by Aston Villa in 2005
Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner, 2008
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner apparently had a frayed relationship at the very best of occasions and their battle reached a head in a thrashing by Tottenham in January 2008.
The Gunners have been 4-0 down within the League Cup semi-finals at Tottenham – a tie they’d lose 6-2 on combination – when Adebayor got here on and was allegedly livid that he needed to waste his vitality and make up for the Dane’s shortcomings.
Bendtner, who scored an personal aim that recreation, defined in his 2020 autobiography: Adebayor shouts that it’s my fault he has to return on and waste his vitality: “I’m right here since you’re taking part in like s***.”
‘It’s not particularly encouraging, and shortly after once we win a nook, we each search out the again submit. There’s quite a lot of pushing and jostling, and out of the blue we’re combating one another.
‘We push forwards and backwards whereas the Tottenham gamers watch in puzzlement. Afterwards, Adebayor claims I gave him the finger, however I don’t keep in mind that.
‘What I do bear in mind is him sticking his head ahead. That’s the factor with him. He behaves illogically. Fully unpredictably.
‘I don’t know if it’s completely deliberate, nevertheless it appears like a headbutt proper on the bridge of my nostril. The blood gushes out and my nostril swells up. As if it’s not sufficiently big already.
‘William Gallas rushes over and pulls us aside. However Adebayor isn’t executed with me. He needs to be escorted away whereas the referee books him.
Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner got here to blows as Arsenal have been thrashed by Tottenham in 2008
‘When the ultimate whistle is blown, our arch-rivals have gained 5-1. It’s our greatest derby defeat in an eternity, and nobody on the staff can bear it. In fact, personally I blame Adebayor, which might be overdoing it.
‘However I actually need to pay money for him for a quiet tete-a-tete, and I suppose the sensation is mutual, as a result of one of many teaching employees has to carry him again within the gamers’ tunnel.
‘After we lastly conflict within the dressing room, we’ve got quite a lot of s*** to say to one another. Issues I wouldn’t be capable to utter 12 years later. Neither of us is holding again, and it has penalties. The boss fines us each two weeks’ wages.’
Adebayor averted a violent conduct cost from the Soccer Affiliation and apologised, however he was banned for 4 video games and the pair by no means actually obtained on once more.
Son Heung-min and Hugo Lloris, 2020
This wasn’t probably the most bloodthirsty nevertheless it was stunning to see two of Tottenham’s management figures at loggerheads in July 2020 – and to listen to Jose Mourinho’s curious response.
Soccer wasn’t lengthy again after Covid-19 introduced the Premier League to a grinding halt when goalkeeper Lloris unleashed his wrath at Son for failing to trace again in opposition to Everton.
The Frenchman shoved the ahead and needed to be restrained by no fewer than three team-mates to cease the scenario escalating. Son escaped down the tunnel whereas his assailant continued to hurl abuse.
In the long run Spurs gained 1-0 anyway and Mourinho was in a philosophical temper.
‘It’s stunning. It’s a consequence, most likely, of our conferences. If you wish to blame anyone for that, it’s me. I used to be essential of my boys as a result of they aren’t for my part essential sufficient with themselves, I requested them to demand extra from others, I requested them to place their colleagues below the stress of the staff spirit you need to give.
‘There have been a few unhealthy phrases, however I believe it was one thing crucial for the staff to develop up. A staff of fine boys, a staff of good boys, the one factor they’ll win on the finish of the season is the Honest Play Cup. One thing I’ve by no means gained and have little interest in profitable that. My profitable groups we had huge fights, huge fights within the staff.’
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris fumed at Son Heung-min after he failed to trace again
Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise, 2007
Alright, little bit of a cheat one right here to finish, nevertheless it’s such an interesting story that we’ve got to inform it.
February 2007. Liverpool go to Barcelona within the final 16 of the Champions League. A number of days earlier than, Rafael Benitez took the squad to the Algarve to unwind and, as issues have been in these days, a couple of beers have been had. What occurred there means they’re now not associates.
Bellamy was encouraging Riise to sing a karaoke track, after he had swerved one over Christmas, however the full-back refused point-blank.
As Riise remembers in his autobiography: ‘Livid, I went over to him: “I’m not singing. Shut the f*** up or else I’m gonna smash you!” He screamed again: “I’m gonna f****** kill you, you ginger c***!’
At that time the Norway star felt it clever to depart, so he went again to the staff resort. However later that night time, Bellamy staggered in with an 8-iron he had borrowed from team-mate Steve Finnan.
Riise remembers the next in his autobiography, an account which Bellamy’s personal reminiscence of occasions usually strains up with.
‘Bellamy raised the membership over his head and swung as onerous as he may. He tried to hit my shins, which might have ended my profession, however I managed to drag my leg away in time.
‘I jumped off the bed, pulled off the sheet and held it between us like I used to be some type of half-awake matador. Bellamy sputtered: “No person disrespects me like that in entrance of the lads!” He was fully gone.
Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise each scored in opposition to Barcelona in 2007, however simply days earlier than the previous had virtually ‘ended the profession’ of the latter in a drunken golf membership assault
“I don’t care if I am going to jail! My children manage to pay for for college and all the pieces. I don’t care. I’ll f****** do you!” He raised the membership and swung once more. This time he linked. Full drive on my hip. I used to be so pumped with adrenaline that I didn’t really feel the ache, however he hit me onerous. It was an iron.
‘The following blow smashed into my thigh. I attempted to carry up the sheet, however he continued to strike. He may severely injure me.’
Briefly, Riise challenged him to a fist-fight which was scheduled the following morning, nevertheless it by no means transpired. It was a visit full of mayhem, with goalkeepers Pepe Reina and Jerzy Dudek each arrested the day after.
However soccer, in its humorous manner, works issues out. Liverpool gained the sport in opposition to Barcelona 2-1. Bellamy hit the equaliser and celebrated with a golf swing. And who scored the winner? Riise, assisted by the Welshman.
