The games Matheus Cunha will now miss after FA ban confirmed – Wolves fans will be relieved

Wolves fans feared the worst as they awaited the outcome of Matheus Cunha’s ban, and there will now be a sense of relief.

Before Gary O’Neil was sacked as Wolves manager in the defeat to Ipswich Town, Matheus Cunha was involved in an altercation with the opposition.

Cunha pushed an Ipswich staff member in the face after the full-time whistle while Rayan Ait-Nouri was involved in a brawl, resulting in the Algerian receiving a second yellow card and a one-match suspension.

While Ait-Nouri’s punishment was light, Cunha was charged by the FA with misconduct ahead of their clash against Leicester City.

Supporters feared that their star forward would be suspended ahead of the game however, the Brazilian started in wins over Leicester and Manchester United before playing in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham.

Now, the 25-year-old has finally been handed his punishment by the FA, and there will be a sense of relief among Wolves fans.

Matheus Cunha receives two-game ban and £80,000 fine

Wolves supporters waited anxiously to discover the fate of their star striker who has plundered 10 goals in 19 Premier League games this term.

However, news has since emerged on Tuesday that Cunha has only been handed a two-game ban and an £80,000 fine for his actions against Ipswich Town.

A statement from the FA read: “Matheus Cunha has been suspended for two games and fined £80,000 following the Premier League fixture between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town on Saturday 14 December 2024.

“The forward was charged with misconduct and it was alleged that he acted in an improper manner after the final whistle. He admitted the charge and the sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission.

“Full written reasons for this case will be published in due course.”

• READ MORE: The stat which proves Matheus Cunha is an absolute game-changer for Wolves – and one of the Premier League’s best

What games Matheus Cunha will miss for Wolves

Cunha is crucial to Wolves’ chances of Premier League survival this term and being without him for an extended period would have dealt them a huge blow.

Luckily, a two-game suspension means Vitor Pereira will be able to cope in his absence as the ban applies to other competitions, with the Brazilian set to miss the top-flight clash against Nottingham Forest and the FA Cup tie away to Bristol City.

When the Old Gold were perhaps expecting to see Cunha receive upwards of a five-match suspension, the forward has got off lightly.

It will be interesting to see how Pereira lines up without his star forward. Perhaps it’s now a chance for Hwang Hee-chan and Goncalo Guedes to partner Jorgen Strand Larsen up top.