𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 | Mohammed Kudus’ three-match ban has been extended to five matches by the FA following his red card against Tottenham last month

Mohammed Kudus, the West Ham winger, faced significant repercussions following his red card in a heated clash against Tottenham. The incident, which unfolded during the 82nd minute of the game that ended in a 4-1 defeat for West Ham, stemmed from Kudus’s foul on Dutch defender Micky van de Ven. This act ignited a brawl between both player factions, which escalated when van de Ven alleged that Kudus “punched him in the face”. The situation worsened as Kudus also shoved Pape Matar Sarr in the face, further compounding his troubles on the pitch.

Initially, referee Andy Madley issued Kudus a yellow card for his actions. However, after consulting with VAR, he upgraded the sanction to a red card, resulting in an automatic three-match ban for the player. The fallout from this incident did not end there; Kudus later received another charge from the Football Association for violent conduct, leading to an additional two-game suspension.

As a consequence of these penalties, Kudus has missed crucial fixtures against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. His ban is set to conclude this weekend as West Ham prepares to face Everton. Nevertheless, the further suspension will see him sidelined for significant upcoming matches, including an away game against Newcastle on Monday, November 25, and a vital home match against Arsenal on Saturday, November 30.

In the aftermath of the incident, an independent regulatory commission published the written reasons for the ruling on Kudus. In a heartfelt letter to the commission, Kudus expressed his “deeply embarrassed” feelings regarding his behavior during the altercation. He acknowledged losing his composure, labeling such actions as out of character for him. While he struggled to recall the specific events leading up to the confrontation, Kudus reviewed footage of the incident and suggested that van de Ven had exaggerated the contact, asserting that there was only minimal interaction on his part.

Despite this, Kudus accepted responsibility for his actions, admitting that he should not have pushed Pape Sarr in the face, thus affirming that his conduct warranted a red card. Importantly, he emphasized that he did not intend to injure anyone or employ undue force during the altercation. Additionally, Kudus addressed the challenges he faced leading up to the match, noting the mental and physical strains from traveling for a midweek international fixture, coupled with various negative comments he received on social media. He highlighted his commitment to his community and the responsibilities he feels as a role model in his home country of Ghana, which underscores the complexity of his situation and the personal challenges he has been navigating.