Matheus Cunha rightly hammered with extended Wolves ban – ex-PGMOL chief
Matheus Cunha has received a fair punishment for his part in the melee at the end of the match between Wolves and Ipswich Town earlier this month, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the striker’s ban will hopefully serve as a deterrent for himself and others in the future.
Gary O’Neil lost his job as manager at Molineux in the wake of his side’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich on the 14 December, which concluded with clashes on the pitch between both clubs.
Cunha was heavily involved in those skirmishes, and Hackett has now given his verdict on the fallout the Wolves striker has been hit with as a result of the incident.
Keith Hackett reacts as Wolves hit with Matheus Cunha ban
It had already been a feisty meeting between the two during the match itself, with multiple clashes between players from both sides.
After Ipswich snatched a late winner in stoppage time, things then again boiled over at the full-time whistle, with Cunha heavily involved for Wolves.
There were suggestions the attacker would be in a lot of trouble with the FA after appearing to strike a member of Ipswich’s staff in the face, and also pull his glasses from him.
Now, the FA have confirmed that the Brazilian will serve a two-match ban and pay £80,000 after admitting to the charges brought against him for his actions at full-time in that game.
Due to his suspension, Cunha will be absent when Wolves host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Monday (6 December) and take on Championship side Bristol City in the FA Cup later that week.
Speaking to Football Insider about the punishment the 25-year-old has received, former referee Hackett said:
“Firstly let me say that referees generally do their job in reporting and then take little notice of the sanctions issued by the disciplinary panel.
“The main aim of punishments handed out is to deliver an impact on the player, his team, and often result in a delay after the suspension to being immediately selected for the next game after suspension.
“The panel will have the full facts in front of them along with a table of sanctions and fines that they can deliver.
“It looks to me about right. Let’s hope it has an impact on the player and other players to think twice before they overreact.”
Under new manager Vitor Pereira, Wolves have taken seven points from the three games they have played since this incident happened.
In that time Cunha has scored twice and provided one assist to help the club climb out of the Premier League relegation zone.
In other news, Wolves are leading the race to sign a Ligue 1 defender.
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