Exclusive: Hackett fury at ‘abject nonsense’ Cunha reveal after Wolves v Ipswich
Keith Hackett has blasted the “disservice to the game” by an FA panel over Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha’s ban after the clash with Ipswich last month.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the Brazilian has received an insufficient punishment for what he did at the end of that match in December.
Cunha found himself under investigation after appearing to strike a member of Ipswich security, while also taking his glasses from the man’s face and throwing them to the ground, after his side conceded a last minute winner to the Tractor Boys at Molineux on 14 December.
Now, the FA’s written reasoning for the ban given to the Wolves man, that have left Hackett far from impressed.
Keith Hackett rages as Matheus Cunha gets off lightly following Wolves vs Ipswich incident
It had previously been confirmed that Cunha would be suspended for two matches and fined £80,000 for his actions in the aftermath of his side’s defeat to Ipswich.
It has now been revealed that the regulatory commission had considered giving the Wolves attacker a three-match ban and £120,000 over what happened.
However, that was reduced after the Brazilian apologised and offered to pay for a new pair of glasses for the Ipswich security guard (BBC).
Hackett though, has been left furious by the fact that those punishments were reduced as a result of Cunha’s response to the incident.
Giving his thoughts on the fact the Wolves man has now seen his punishment reduced because of that, the former referee told Football Insider:
“What abject nonsense! Of course he is going to apologise. Of course he is going to pay a few quid for a pair of glasses.
“That is insufficient punishment to a player who clearly lost his self control and damaged the image of the game. Does this sent out the right message?
“I say an absolute NO and the panel have done the game a disservice.”
Cunha has been in excellent form for Wolves this season despite his side’s struggles, scoring ten goals in 19 Premier League games, which Football Insider revealed has seen him attract interest from the likes of Arsenal recently.
He served the first of his two-match ban during his side’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Monday (6 January) and will also miss their FA Cup third round clash with Bristol City on Saturday (11 January).
In other news, there have been calls for a rule change after Nottingham Forest’s win over Wolves.
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