In a dramatic turn of events following his match-winning heroics against Arsenal, Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha now faces a potential suspension for an explicit outburst directed into a television camera during his goal celebration.
The Football Association is likely to review the incident, which forced an immediate on-air apology from broadcaster Sky Sports and has drawn parallels to a previous high-profile ban involving club legend Wayne Rooney.
The controversy erupted in the 87th minute at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, when substitute Cunha curled in a superb finish to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory for United. In the ecstatic aftermath, the Brazilian grabbed a pitch-side camera and shouted an audible expletive into the lens.
Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury was compelled to address millions of viewers instantly, stating, “If you heard some bad language in among the celebrations, for that we apologise”.
According to FA regulations, the use of “offensive, insulting or abusive language” constitutes a sending-off offence. Crucially, the governing body maintains the power to take retroactive disciplinary action if an incident is captured on camera and broadcast widely.
The FA specifically views swearing directly into a lens as a “clear and deliberate” act of misconduct that brings the game into disrepute.
A significant precedent exists from 2011, when then-United striker Wayne Rooney received a two-match ban for a nearly identical celebration where he swore into a camera after scoring a hat-trick against West Ham United.
The disciplinary process typically involves the FA’s “Fast Track” system, where a panel of former elite referees reviews video evidence to determine if a suspension is warranted. While the exact words uttered by Cunha remain unclear, the explicit nature of the outburst and its direct transmission to a global audience means a charge is considered highly probable.
Standard penalties for such “Aggravated Misconduct” involve a two-match ban and a substantial financial fine, sanctions designed to protect viewers, including children, from offensive language.
The potential ban casts a shadow over what was a career highlight for the 26-year-old. After the game, an elated Cunha told Sky Sports, “This is the kind of game you dream of playing and being a part of. It was one hundred per cent one of my favourite moments in the shirt”.
Caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who has overseen consecutive wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, also heaped praise on the impact substitute, saying, “Matheus came on – had a big impact like he did last week… I really fancied him to score. Again, fantastic finish”.
This incident also brings Cunha’s disciplinary record back into focus. Last April, while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, he was sanctioned for an altercation where he snatched glasses from a security guard’s face during a melee.
On that occasion, his ban was reduced from three matches to two after he apologised and agreed to pay for the guard’s glasses.
Manchester United, now sitting fourth in the Premier League, await the FA’s decision as they prepare for crucial home fixtures against Fulham and Tottenham.
For Cunha, the aftermath of his greatest moment in a United shirt serves as a stark reminder that in the modern broadcast era, a player’s conduct is scrutinised as closely as their skill on the ball.