The FA published a statement on Wednesday to confirm that both West Ham United and Mohammed Kudus have been handed additional sanctions in relation to the incident surrounding the player’s red card against Tottenham Hotspur.
Kudus initially picked up a straight red and a three-match ban, but the FA charged him with acting in an improper manner and/or using violent conduct after the offence that he was sent off for.
Kudus admitted the charge, earning an additional two-match suspension and a £60,000 fine.
The additional two matches are significant to Arsenal, as they mean he’ll miss the match against the Gunners later this month.
The initial three-match ban was due to end after this weekend’s game against Everton, but the extension will see Kudus miss Newcastle United and Arsenal too.
To some extent, Kudus is fortunate to miss just an extra two games. The disciplinary commission trio had started at a baseline of three additional games, with one of the three members arguing the number should actually be increased to four or more.
But the other two members disagreed, citing Kudus’ sincere apology, the fact he had accepted the charge against him, and the fact he had a clean disciplinary record prior to this incident. They ultimately overruled the dissenting member and reduced the ban to two extra games.
As well as Kudus’ sanction, West Ham admitted to a charge of failing to ensure their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way around the incident, and they were fined £30,000.
