West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus has been handed a further two-match suspension, having already missed two games following his red card against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Kudus was sent off during the 4-1 defeat against Spurs on October 19 for violent conduct, which saw him earn a ban for three matches. Now, the Ghanaian has been charged with an additional two-match suspension and a fine of £60,000 by the English Football Association.
Kudus receives extended five-match ban
Kudus was initially handed a yellow card for his foul on Spurs defender Micky van de Ven in a game where he had earlier scored for the Hammers. However, an altercation broke out quickly between the players of both teams, with Van de Ven claiming that Kudus punched him in the face. In addition, the former Ajax star also shoved Spurs midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. In the aftermath, Kudus’ yellow was changed into red following a review by the VAR.
The 24-year-old subsequently missed the Premier League games against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, with this weekend’s game against Everton marking the end of this three-match suspension. However, Kudus is now set for an extended period off the pitch, with the FA handing him an additional two-match ban, making it a total of five games. It means Kudus will miss the Hammers’ games against Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Kudus’ prolonged absence will serve as a damaging blow to an already struggling Hammers side, who are 14th in the Premier League table this season. The Ghanaian star is one of the pivotal figures in the squad, having racked up 18 goals and 7 assists in all competitions last season and 2 goals and 1 assist so far this term.
Despite the morale-boosting win against Man United, the Hammers were brought back to reality with a dismal 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest. West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui’s future appears to be in peril and the Spaniard need to ensure a better result against Everton this Saturday to safeguard his position. The Hammers have managed only three wins in 10 games this season with two draws and five defeats.
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