Everton Duo Gueye and Keane Settle Feud with Playful Boxing Match in Training

Everton midfielders Idrissa Gana Gueye and Michael Keane have buried the hatchet following a heated on-pitch altercation, capping off their reconciliation with a playful boxing match during training.

The drama unfolded during Everton's dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on November 24. Just 15 minutes into the match, Gueye was shown a straight red card after slapping Keane in the face amid a heated exchange sparked by a misplaced pass. The incident, which saw Gueye restrained by teammates Iliman Ndiaye and Jordan Pickford, left the Senegal international facing a three-match suspension and drew widespread criticism for its rarity among club colleagues.

Tensions remained high at halftime, with the pair reportedly kept apart in the dressing room to prevent further escalation. However, Gueye addressed the squad at full time, issuing a public apology and extending a personal olive branch to Keane. The gesture was well-received, with teammates applauding the midfielder's accountability and rallying behind him despite the numerical disadvantage, which Everton heroically overcame to secure the win.

Fast-forward to Thursday's training session, and footage has emerged showing Gueye and Keane engaging in a choreographed, good-natured boxing bout on the pitch—complete with gloves and exaggerated swings—designed to diffuse any lingering awkwardness. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, captures the duo laughing and embracing afterward, signaling a full restoration of their camaraderie.

"Gana's apology was genuine, and Mike accepted it without hesitation," an Everton insider told reporters. "This scrap was their way of moving on—nothing says 'all good' like a bit of fun in the ring."