Wolves star Matheus Cunha has FA ban reduced after two gestures to Ipswich staff member
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Matheus Cunha saw the length of the ban handed to him by the Football Association reduced from three games to two after the striker penned a letter of apology to the Ipswich Town employee he clashed with - and also offered to buy him a new pair of glasses.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward was banned retrospectively by The FA for his contribution to an altercation during Wolves’ defeat to Ipswich in December. The Brazilian, in discussions over a contract extension, was seen elbowing a member of the Tractor Boy’s backroom staff before going on to pull the glasses from his face.
Cunha's quick contrition saw the FA look upon his sentence more favourably, however. The governing body acknowledged Cunha’s ‘early admission of the charge, his apology and the fact that he had offered to pay for replacement glasses' in their assessment.
Providing his statement to the FA, the 25-year-old attempted to clarify his role in the minor brawl. Cunha claimed he was acting to protect himself. “As I tried to get closer to Rayan (Ait-Nouri) to make sure he was okay, I was suddenly surrounded by a lot of people" Cunha explained. "I felt like I was being shoved by the ITFC security personnel, so I shoved them back in an effort to break away from them to protect myself.
“It was never my intention to come into contact with (Ipswich staff member) and I certainly never meant to elbow him. I simply wanted to push him away from Rayan. "Then all of a sudden, I remember (Ipswich staff member) turned round and had his hands on my shirt, and I shouted 'stop' but he kept hold of my shirt.
