Revealed: The reasons Wolves star Matheus Cunha was banned for two matches - and not three

The spectacles were smashed when Cunha snatched them from the face of a Tractor Boys employee who he also elbowed in the back of the head, during a melee which took place on the pitch after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat at Molineux on December 14.

Cunha subsequently accepted an FA charge of misconduct. Yet a likely three-match suspension was reduced to two by a regulatory commission in part because the Brazilian striker offered to pay for a new pair of glasses.

Cunha also wrote a handwritten letter of apology to the member of Ipswich staff concerned, while his prompt acceptance of the charge and previously good disciplinary record were also taken into account by the commission.

The 25-year-old, who was also fined £80,000 reduced from £120,000 as part of the mitigation, was banned from Monday’s 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest and will also miss Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Bristol City.

But he was able to play in the three matches which immediately followed the defeat to Ipswich, scoring twice as Wolves took seven points from their first three matches under new boss Vitor Pereira.

This was because the unusual nature of the incident meant the FA considered it a "non-standard" case without a pre-determined sanction, leading to a longer timescale as evidence was submitted and the commission assessed the case.

The clash with Ipswich security staff took place immediately after the final whistle and also involved Cunha’s team-mate Rayan Ait-Nouri, who was shown a second yellow card and sent-off.

But Cunha’s own actions were missed by referee Simon Hooper and he was charged with misconduct the following week.

The regulatory commission, which met on December 30, viewed video footage of the incident along with evidence provided by both clubs.

In his submission, Cunha explained how he had rushed over to help Ait-Nouri after seeing his team-mate surrounded by a “large number” of Ipswich staff.

Cunha said he “never meant” to elbow anyone and was only trying to push the security guard away from Ait-Nouri. 

Addressing the snatching of the glasses, Cunha claimed the man had grabbed his shirt and that he recalled “feeling quite threatened”.

He continued: “In the heat of the moment I regrettably reached out and grabbed his glasses.

“I know I was wrong to do this and I take full responsibility for my actions.”

Yet Cunha’s version of events was rejected by the commission, who also dismissed the suggestion there had been any provocation on the part of the Ipswich staff.

Wolves submitted Cunha’s remorse and offer to pay for replacement glasses should mean he was banned for no more than one-match.

This plea was also rejected though the commission, who found Cunha’s actions to be “highly improper” did show some leniency by reducing the proposed ban from three to two matches.