Watching Mohammed Kudus disappear down the tunnel following his straight red card on Saturday and the impact on that game, players, fans and coaching staff alike must have been intensely frustrated at the young winger’s actions. But the repercussions for the team took a while longer to become clear after the game: Gifted, creative, best dribbler and goal scorer – West Ham must now do without their Ghanaian ‘Starboy’ for three games.
At least.
History tells us that the three-game ban could well be extended when the match report from the officials gets assessed in the next 48 hours.
In case anyone doesn’t remember, back in 2012 Joey Barton had his 3 game ban uplifted to nine games when he was sent off for fighting in a Queens Park Rangers v Manchester City fixture where Barton was adjudged to have been involved in three separate clashes. There is both precedent and potential for this ‘Kudus’ episode to be viewed as at least two violent incidents so a bigger, six game ban looks more than possible.
Former Premier League Referee Mike Dean:”Because he hit two different players in the face, I think the FA will act on both [incidents]”.
For Lopetegui to use the age old cliché that he ‘didn’t see’ the incident spells further trouble for West Ham – this kind of behaviour needs to be confronted head-on and simply avoiding the issue won’t do Kudus or the club any favours when he does return.
It is already West Ham’s second red card of the season after Edson Alvarez’ two yellows against Liverpool. Discipline problems on the pitch as well as dreadful results speak volumes about the state of the dressing room. Leadership is in short supply.
Come Tuesday Kudus will hear his fate. West Ham will be training to prepare for his absence and if Crysencio Summerville grasps this opportunity to take Kudus’ place in the team then it will be the silver lining we are all searching for right now.
