Wolves Star Matheus Cunha Handed £50,000 Fine and Extra Match Ban | OneFootball

Wolves Striker Cunha Fined and Handed Extra Match Ban

Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha has been dealt a hefty blow following his actions during Wolves’ FA Cup exit at the hands of Bournemouth. The Brazilian striker has been fined £50,000 and banned for an additional game after admitting to improper conduct during the closing moments of the match.

Cunha’s Controversial Clash with Bournemouth

In what proved to be a frustrating night for Wolves, Matheus Cunha was sent off in the dying seconds of extra time after clashing with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. The Brazilian lashed out at the Hungarian left-back on three separate occasions before being shown a straight red card for violent conduct. The 25-year-old was subsequently escorted off the pitch, visibly agitated.

The red card automatically triggered a three-match suspension, but the FA has since imposed an additional one-match ban after Cunha admitted to improper behaviour. This means Wolves will be without their star forward for a total of four matches, the latest being the Premier League clash against Ipswich Town on 5 April.

Photo: IMAGO

FA Takes a Firm Stance

The FA’s decision to extend the ban reflects the governing body’s determination to clamp down on violent conduct, especially in high-profile fixtures like the FA Cup. While Cunha’s passion on the pitch is undeniable, the authorities deemed his actions unacceptable.

Having been a key figure for Wolves this season, netting 15 goals, his absence will be keenly felt as the team looks to bounce back from their cup disappointment. The ban adds to a series of disciplinary setbacks for the Brazilian, who has struggled to keep his temper in check on more than one occasion.

Previous Disciplinary Troubles

This isn’t the first time Matheus Cunha has found himself in hot water. Earlier in the season, he served a two-match suspension following a clash with Ipswich Town’s security staff at Molineux in December. The incident, which saw Cunha grab the glasses off a security guard’s face after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat, raised questions about his temperament and professionalism.

With yet another ban to his name, Wolves’ manager will be under pressure to address Cunha’s fiery disposition and ensure the forward channels his energy more constructively on the pitch. The challenge now lies in maintaining momentum in Cunha’s absence, with crucial Premier League fixtures looming.

Wolves Face Selection Dilemma

Looking ahead, Wolves will need to adapt quickly without their leading goalscorer. The next fixture without Cunha is against Ipswich Town, followed by his anticipated return against Tottenham Hotspur on 13 April. In the meantime, the team will have to rely on alternative attacking options to fill the void left by the suspended striker.

With Cunha’s availability limited and Wolves battling to secure valuable points in the league, the focus will inevitably shift towards finding a reliable replacement up front. Whether the club opts to dip into their squad depth or experiment with tactical adjustments remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, the impact of Cunha’s absence cannot be understated. His dynamic presence and goalscoring ability have been integral to Wolves’ attacking play this season. The challenge now lies in overcoming this latest setback and finding a way to maintain consistency in his absence.

Cunha’s temperament has once again landed him in trouble, but Wolves must find a way to regroup and push forward. With the crucial clash against Ipswich just around the corner, the team will need to find attacking solutions and avoid any further disciplinary issues that could derail their campaign.