Wolves
(Credit: ITV Sport and Imago)
Keith Hackett
Fri 21 March 2025 16:56, UK
Wolves appear to have managed to help Matheus Cunha avoid a bigger ban for his sending off against Bournemouth, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider he expected the attacker to have received a longer punishment over the incident with Milos Kerkez.
Cunha had already been in trouble once this season, with the Wolves attacker clashing with Ipswich Town staff at the end of a game back in December.
He has since once again found himself in hot water following an incident in an FA Cup clash with Bournemouth at the start of this month.
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It was a mixed day for the Brazilian to say the least when his side travelled to the Vitality Stadium for their FA Cup fifth round clash on 1 March.
Cunha had scored a stunning goal for Wolves to equalise and take the game to extra time, only to be sent off just minutes before the game went to penalties.
Mathes Cunha for Wolves in 2024/25 Total (as per Transfermarkt)
Appearances 29
Goals 15
Assists 4
Yellow Cards 2
Red Cards 1
All competitions
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The attacker reacted angrily after tussling for the ball with Kerkez, kicking out and aiming a head butt at the Bournemouth left-back.
That inevitably led to him being sent off, with Cunha’s actions leaving many stunned while proving costly for Wolves who then lost on penalties.
It has now been confirmed that on top of the original three-game ban he received, the 25-year-old has been handed an additional one-match suspension and £50,000 fine.
Now, Hackett has suggested that the actions of his club may have helped the striker to avoid a more serious punishment, via supporting evidence.
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Speaking to Football Insider about that latest update on the suspension handed to Cunha, the former referee said:
“I hope that this sanction will give the player time to reflect and perhaps get involved with the club’s sports psychologist to help him reduce his conflict issues.
“I did expect that the player would receive a five match ban. The suspension would suggest that his club provided supportive evidence that has assisted their player.”
The extra one-match ban imposed one Cunha means he will miss Wolves‘ next two games, meaning he will miss the home game against West Ham and reverse fixture with Ipswich.
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