Cunha Fined £80,000 and Misses Key Matches
Matheus Cunha, the 25-year-old Brazilian striker for Wolves, has been handed a two-game suspension by the Football Association following an altercation with Ipswich Town security earlier this month. Cunha, who was also fined £80,000, will miss Wolves’ crucial Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest and their FA Cup third-round tie against Bristol City.
What Happened?
The incident occurred after Wolves’ 2-1 loss to Ipswich at Molineux, where Jack Taylor’s injury-time winner sealed the defeat. During a post-match confrontation, Cunha:
- Elbowed a member of Ipswich’s security staff.
- Snatched the individual’s glasses, leading to an FA misconduct charge.
The defeat also resulted in manager Gary O’Neil and his coaching staff losing their jobs, with Vitor Pereira stepping in as Wolves’ new boss.
Cunha’s Form and Impact
Despite the controversy, Cunha has been pivotal for Wolves this season:
- 10 goals in 19 Premier League appearances, making him one of the team’s top performers.
- Scored in recent victories over Leicester City and Manchester United, and contributed to a 2-2 draw at Tottenham.
Wolves currently sit 17th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone. Cunha’s absence could prove costly as Wolves face Nottingham Forest in a key relegation battle.
Additional Fallout from the Incident
The post-match altercation didn’t end with Cunha:
- Rayan Aït-Nouri, another Wolves player, received a second yellow card in the tunnel during the same incident.
- The confrontation reflects the growing tensions within the team, especially given Wolves’ precarious league position.
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