Matheus Cunha, Wolves
Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media / Sky Sports YouTube
Keith Hackett
Mon 16 June 2025 15:30, UK
Matheus Cunha’s reduced punishment for his controversial actions while playing for Wolves has set a bad precedent for other players, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the regulatory panel sent out the “wrong message” after reducing the player’s punishment to a two-game ban and £40,000 fine.
After clashing with a member of Ipswich’s security staff, snatching the glasses off his face, the Brazilian was expected to be slapped with a three-game ban and £120,000 fine by the FA.
However, having accepted the charge, sincerely apologised and offered to pay for new glasses, which were classed as mitigating factors, he only missed games against Nottingham Forest and Bristol City.
BREAKING: Wolves forward Matheus Cunha has received a two-game ban and fined £80,000 after admitting a misconduct charge for his actions at the end of the team’s defeat 2-1 to Ipswich on December 14th 🚨 pic.twitter.com/5KECaa5RMo
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 31, 2024
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Matheus Cunha’s reduced ban at Wolves sends out the wrong message
Keith Hackett has already suggested that Cunha could sit down with Man United psychologists following his move to Old Trafford, given his explosive temperament on the pitch all too often.
The 26-year-old only received four yellow cards in the Premier League, but with a red card coming his way after a clash with Milos Kerkez during an FA Cup tie with Bournemouth, concerns have been raised.
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He received retrospective punishment for the part he played in the aftermath of a 2-1 defeat to the Tractor Boys in December, and while this was likely his worst action, leniency was given towards him.
Hackett has now called out the “abject nonsense” from the regulatory commission, which is likely to set a bad example for Premier League stars acting up during the 2025/26 campaign.
Matheus Cunha, Wolves
Credit: Imago
Regulatory commission slammed by Keith Hackett ahead of 2025/26
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the regulatory panel setting a bad precedent, the former referee said: “Yes, I think it could. When the regulatory panel sit to make these judgements in terms of actions that warrant an investigation, they should have all the evidence in front of them.
“This evidence might have included the players’ actions of buying a new pair of spectacles. This should have been before them at the time, not as an afterthought.
Keith Hackett
Keith Hackett was left disappointed by Cunha’s punishment.
“For me, it sets a poor precedent. Without any thoughts of an impending sanction, he might not have taken that action. Had that information been with them, would they have reduced it to two, or said two is the outcome?
“I just think it’s a sign of weakness. If an action warrants an investigation and is found guilty, in front of the regulatory panel, there should be a table of what the fine and punishment are.
“What they’ve done is an abject nonsense. It sends out the wrong message.”
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