Need to know
Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 with Matheus Cunha scoring the winning goal, though the Brazilian's reaction could land him in trouble with the game's authorities
Matheus Cunha of Manchester United celebrates 3rd goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium
Matheus Cunha could face punishment after scoring Manchester United's winning goal against Arsenal(Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know as Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha risks ban after scoring winning goal vs Arsenal
The incident: During Arsenal vs Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, Matheus Cunha scored a sensational winning goal to put Man United 3-2 ahead in the 87th minute. In the heat of the celebration, he approached a television camera and shouted an audible expletive.
Official apology: Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury quickly issued an on-air apology to viewers. This was necessary because the "X-rated" outburst was transmitted live to a massive global audience.
FA regulations: Under Football Association rules, players can be punished for using "offensive, insulting, or abusive language." Specifically, Law 12 of the game dictates that such actions are technically red-card offenses.
Direct interaction: The FA distinguishes between general frustration and swearing directly into a camera lens. They view the latter as a deliberate act of misconduct that brings the sport into disrepute by targeting the home audience.
The Rooney precedent: A major precedent exists from 2011 when Wayne Rooney was banned for two matches - one of them an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium - for a near identical celebration against West Ham. Like Cunha, Rooney swore into a camera after scoring for Man United.
Disciplinary Process: If a referee misses the incident during the game, the FA’s "Fast Track" system allows for a retrospective review of video evidence. A panel of former elite referees determines if the conduct warrants a suspension.
Potential Penalties: Typical punishments for "Aggravated Misconduct" of this nature involve a two-match ban and a significant financial fine. These sanctions are intended to protect viewers, particularly children, from offensive language.
Historical Context: While players frequently use "industrial language" on the pitch, the FA remains strict about broadcasted profanity. Despite Rooney’s past arguments that such bans feel inconsistent, the rules regarding camera-directed swearing remain firmly in place.