Matheus Cunha is set to miss at least three Wolves games following his shocking red card on Saturday, but his suspension could be extended further depending on disciplinary action.
The 25-year-old had a rollercoaster afternoon at the Vitality Stadium during the FA Cup fifth-round clash, scoring a spectacular 30-yard goal on the hour mark to cancel out Bournemouth’s opener from Evanilson.
However, the Brazilian’s brilliance was overshadowed by his meltdown in extra time. After Cherries full-back Milos Kerkez tugged his shirt, Cunha snapped, swinging an arm, kicking, and headbutting the Hungary international.
Unsurprisingly, Cunha was shown a red card, but the drama didn’t end there. He refused to leave the pitch quietly, arguing his case and needing to be escorted down the tunnel.
Wolves ultimately lost the cup tie on penalties, with Bournemouth advancing to the quarter-finals.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown commented on Cunha’s actions during Match of the Day: “The ability he has is top level, the goal he scored belongs in the Champions League, but then suddenly we see the ugly.
“I have not seen that on the football pitch since the 1970s – he just lost it. The referee had to send him off. They couldn’t get him out of the ground. This was the ugly part and it is something he has to stop.
“Wolves need points to stay up. He will be a huge loss.”
Cunha’s absence will indeed be a significant blow for Wolves, as he is guaranteed to miss at least three games. However, his ban could be extended if he faces a misconduct charge for his reaction to the red card.
Which matches will Matheus Cunha miss?
The Wolves forward is set to miss Premier League fixtures against Everton (March 8), Southampton (March 15), and West Ham United (April 1).
His fate will be determined in the coming days, depending on whether referee Sam Barrott reports him for his post-red card behavior.
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira defended his star striker, citing injury struggles and emotional pressure as contributing factors.
“Matheus is a special player, and today he played extra time without conditions to play extra time,” said Pereira.
“I left him out without a substitution to try to be there and create something. For the last three weeks, he has had a problem in the hamstring and he tried to play on.
“The emotional side in this game was very high, not only inside the pitch, but on the bench, in the stands, everywhere. There was a lot of pressure. In the end, what happened can happen. Of course, it should not happen but this is something that happens in football and we must deal with the situation.
“I didn’t see the situation. I was looking at the ball on the other side of the pitch. But in the end, the referee decides for a red card.”
This isn’t the first time Cunha has found himself in trouble this season. In December, he was involved in unsavory post-match scenes against Ipswich, where he pushed a staff member in the face, knocking off their glasses, following a 2-1 defeat at Molineux.
Cunha was subsequently fined £80,000 and handed a two-match ban for misconduct and improper behavior.
Wolves currently sit 17th in the Premier League table but hold a five-point cushion above Ipswich.
