Wolves forward Matheus Cunha finds himself in hot water following a chaotic FA Cup clash against Bournemouth. Despite scoring a sensational 30-yard strike to level the match in the 60th minute, the Brazilian’s night ended in disgrace as he lost control in extra time, earning a red card that guarantees him a three-game suspension, with the possibility of further punishment looming.
The fiery incident unfolded when Milos Kerkez pulled at Cunha’s shirt, triggering a furious reaction from the Wolves striker. Cunha lashed out, swinging an arm, kicking, and even headbutting the Bournemouth defender in a moment of madness. The referee wasted no time in sending him off, yet the drama didn’t end there, as Cunha had to be physically escorted down the tunnel while protesting his case.
Former Arsenal legend Martin Keown weighed in on the controversy, acknowledging Cunha’s undeniable talent but condemning his lack of discipline. Keown likened the incident to an old-school football brawl from the 1970s, emphasizing how costly this outburst could be for Wolves. With the team battling to avoid relegation, the absence of a key forward is the last thing they need.
Cunha’s automatic three-match suspension rules him out of crucial Premier League fixtures against Everton on March 8, Southampton on March 15, and West Ham United on April 1. However, should the FA take issue with his aggressive reaction after the red card, an additional misconduct charge could see his ban extended even further, piling more pressure on Wolves.
Currently sitting 17th in the table, just five points ahead of Ipswich Town, Wolves are already in a precarious position. Their FA Cup exit on penalties against Bournemouth was a bitter pill to swallow, and now they must prepare for a critical stretch without one of their most dangerous attacking players.
In defense of his striker, Wolves manager Vitor Pereira suggested that emotions had simply boiled over, pointing out that Cunha had been playing through a hamstring injury. Pereira admitted that the high-pressure nature of the match may have contributed to the outburst, though he conceded that such behavior cannot be excused.
Regardless of the circumstances, Wolves must now adjust to life without Cunha for the immediate future. His fiery temperament and talent have been crucial to the team’s efforts this season, but this moment of recklessness has left them in a tough spot.
As the FA deliberates on potential further action, Wolves fans can only hope that the punishment doesn’t increase. With Premier League survival at stake, the team must quickly regroup and find a way to cope without their star forward in the coming weeks.