Matheus Cunha may face disciplinary action following an explicit outburst caught on camera during Manchester United’s exuberant celebrations after their match against Arsenal.
The Brazilian, who came off the bench at the Emirates, scored a breathtaking late goal that secured a 3-2 win against Arsenal, helping his team maintain a perfect record under interim manager Michael Carrick.
Advertisement
After scoring, Cunha was embraced by ecstatic teammates as he celebrated in front of the away fans. He directed an expletive-laden shout towards the camera, which, although not entirely audible, was deemed inappropriate.
Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury later expressed regret over the incident, apologizing for any vulgar language that may have been heard during the celebrations.
According to the Football Association (FA) regulations, “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures” can result in a player being sent off. Although Cunha avoided immediate punishment, the FA has the authority to apply retroactive disciplinary measures if the incident is recorded or widely broadcasted.
Advertisement
The FA considers swearing directly into a camera as a “clear and deliberate” act of misconduct that discredits the sport. This policy has previously affected Manchester United, as exemplified by Wayne Rooney, who received a two-match ban for a similar offense after scoring in a comeback victory against West Ham.
Rooney admitted guilt and apologized for his actions but criticized the length of the ban, which caused him to miss a crucial FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
No official response has been made regarding Cunha’s incident, and Carrick has yet to address the matter publicly, although he praised Cunha for his match-winning performance.
Advertisement
“Matheus might not have started both games, but he has made a significant impact and has been frustrated about not being in the starting lineup,” Carrick remarked.
“He has channeled that in a positive way, creating two crucial moments, and he absolutely deserves that winning goal for his dedication this week. I’m genuinely thrilled for him.”
If Cunha faces a disciplinary ban similar to Rooney’s, he would miss consecutive home matches against Fulham and Tottenham in the upcoming fortnight.