Mohammed Kudus To Face Extended Ban After Violent Conduct

Kudus could face an extended ban after being sent off for violent conduct during West Ham’s 4-1 loss to Tottenham. According to Football Insider, the Football Association will review the incident within the next 48 hours and may impose additional punishment. Kudus was dismissed in the 86th minute after lashing out at Micky van de Ven and Pape Matar Sarr, leaving three Spurs players on the ground. He kicked van de Ven in the back, pushed him in the face, and shoved Sarr in the head, while Richarlison was knocked down during the scuffle.

Initially, referee Andrew Madley showed Kudus a yellow card, but after a VAR review, it was upgraded to a straight red. Violent conduct usually results in a minimum three-game suspension, but the FA could extend this to up to six matches, depending on their assessment of the officials’ reports. Joey Barton received a nine-game ban in 2012 for multiple violent incidents in one game, setting a precedent for harsher penalties.

Losing Kudus for more than three matches would be a significant blow to West Ham, given his key role in their attack. He has scored two goals in eight Premier League games this season, following an impressive debut campaign in 2023-24, where he netted 18 times. West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui commented that he would talk to Kudus but didn’t see the incident clearly. West Ham, struggling in the lower mid-table, will face Manchester United next Sunday. United, under Erik ten Hag, have a Europa League game against Fenerbahce before that.