AliousAfter equalizing for Wolves, who sit 17th in the Premier League—just one spot and five points ahead of Ipswich Town—Matheus Cunha was sent off in the dying moments of extra time for a violent altercation with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. The Brazilian striker was shown a red card by referee Sam Barrott after a heated exchange that saw him punch, kick, and headbutt the Cherries defender.
Following his dismissal, Cunha appeared to resist leaving the touchline, engaging in a heated argument with staff members who attempted to direct him towards the dressing room. As a result of his red card for violent conduct, the Wolves forward will automatically serve a three-match suspension. However, depending on the contents of the referee’s match report and the FA’s subsequent review, his ban could be extended further.
This is not Cunha’s first disciplinary issue this season. Back in December, after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Ipswich at Molineux, the 26-year-old was involved in another controversial incident when he elbowed a Blues security staff member and aggressively knocked off their glasses. Though the clash went unnoticed by referee Simon Hooper, Cunha later accepted an FA charge, resulting in a two-match ban and an £80,000 fine. Given this prior offense, the FA could impose a harsher punishment this time around.
As it stands, Cunha’s suspension means he will miss crucial Premier League fixtures against Everton, Southampton, and West Ham. Should the FA opt to extend his ban by an additional match, he would also be sidelined for Wolves’ trip to Portman Road in April.
In the aftermath of the incident, Cunha took to Instagram to apologize to his teammates, writing: “In the end, another game where you guys did your best. I couldn’t lose my head at the end. Sorry.”
Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira acknowledged the emotional intensity of the game, stating, “The pressure was high, and in the heat of the moment, things like this can happen. It shouldn’t, but in football, we must deal with these situations.”
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace could also be without a key player for their upcoming Premier League clash with Ipswich. Eagles boss Oliver Glasner confirmed that striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is unlikely to feature next Saturday after suffering a significant ear injury during Palace’s 3-1 FA Cup victory over Millwall.
Mateta, who scored the winner against Ipswich in December, was stretchered off just 15 minutes into the game after a dangerous challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, who was subsequently sent off.
Alious
