Mohammed Kudus: Keith Wyness taken aback by extended West Ham ban
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has slammed the Football Association for hitting West Ham star Mohammed Kudus with an extended five-match ban.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the controversial incident occured “in the heat of the moment” and accused the FA of “trying to make a statement”.
Last week, Kudus saw his ban extended from three to five games, meaning he won’t be able to return to action until 3 December against Leicester City.
The Ghana international, who was also fined £60,000, was sent off in the second half for violent conduct as West Ham lost 4-1 away at Tottenham last month.
He was sent off for pushing Micky van de Ven in the face, but was hit with a further charge from the FA for swiping at Pape Matar Sarr.
West Ham star Kudus should not have landed extra ban, says Wyness
Wyness insisted one extra game, or even a further warning, would have been adequate.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think it’s over the top.
“One extra game would’ve been enough, if not just an extra warning.
“Five games is a bit far. It was the heat of the moment, we’ve seen these things on the pitch a few times.
“To give an extra two games certainly smacks of the FA trying to make a statement, rather than hand down a punishment.
“Once again it’s the FA with a megaphone instead of managing the situation. They’ve gone over the top with the fine and the ban.
“At the maximum, one extra game would’ve been enough.”
In other news, “West Ham close sources” reveal Julen Lopetegui could be sacked within days.
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