Matheus Cunha ban could prove costly for Wolves ahead of key league fixtures | OneFootball

Matheus Cunha’s red card against Bournemouth could prove costly for Wolves after their FA Cup penalty shootout defeat, with the forward set to miss key Premier League fixtures for the struggling Midlands outfit.

Following his sending off in the final minute of extra time after a clash with Cherries defender Milos Kerkez, the 25-year-old was unable to participate in his side’s penalty shootout.

After the returning Evanilson had put the hosts in front, Cunha produced a moment of magic in the 60th minute, firing in from 30 yards to bring Wolves level. But after the match went into extra time, the Brazilian clashed multiple times with Kerkez, including fighting, kicking out at the Hungarian full-back while he was on the ground and aiming a headbutt when Kerkez had got back to his feet.

Referee Sam Barrott eventually gave Cunha his red card, with the Brazilian needing to be escorted down the tunnel. Wolves went on to lose the resulting penalty shootout 5-4, with their star forward now set to miss a minimum of three matches.

However, additional games cannot be ruled out because of the severity of the incident, as well as having already served a two-match ban for clashing with Ipswich Town security in December, which including an £80,000 fine.

Cunha, who is Wolves’ top goalscorer with 13 in the league, will now miss a run of favourable fixtures for his side, who face Everton, Southampton and West Ham in their next three games, before a clash against Ipswich on April 5.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira said of the incident: “Of course, the emotional side was very high and not only inside the pitch, but on the bench and in the stands, a lot of pressure everywhere. In the end it happens.

“It should not happen, but this is something that happens in football.

“Matheus is a special player and today he played extra time. The last three weeks he has a problem in the hamstring and he tried.

“I didn’t see the situation. Don’t ask me about it because I was looking at the other end. In the end the referee decided the red card.

“He is important but I cannot speak about what I don’t know. It is important to check the situation, to look for what happened because I was looking for the other side.

“The others say to me he kick, he punch, he do what he did with the head and the player went to hospital? No, OK. But it is a situation that cannot happen of course.

“To judge the situation, I must have the clear image in my mind.”