Mohammed Kudus Faces Extended Suspension for Violent Conduct!
- Mohammed Kudus was given an extended ban and a £60,000 fine for violent conduct in a match against Tottenham.
- The Football Association increased his initial three-match suspension following a review of the incident.
- This enhances the challenges for West Ham United's coach Julen Lopetegui as the team struggles in the Premier League.
Mohammed Kudus, the West Ham United forward, was handed an extended suspension after being sent off for violent behavior during a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on October 19. Initially shown a yellow card, a review by the VAR led the referee to upgrade the card to a red as Kudus kicked and slapped opposing players. This incident occurred late in West Ham's 4-1 defeat. Following the evaluation by the Football Association, Kudus received an additional two-match ban along with a fine of £60,000, escalating from his initial three-match suspension. The three-match ban, which was set to expire after West Ham's upcoming clash with Everton, now means Kudus will miss further games against Newcastle and Arsenal post-international break. West Ham United also found themselves penalized with a £30,000 fine for failing to control their players during the incident. The FA concluded that the club admitted to not ensuring their players behaved appropriately, leading to the financial penalty. This situation adds pressure to West Ham's head coach, Julen Lopetegui, who has faced criticism due to the team's lack of performance, evidenced by their recent loss to Nottingham Forest. With only three wins in ten Premier League matches, the club sits in 14th place, causing unrest among supporters and stakeholders. In light of Kudus's actions, Lopetegui expressed a need for further discussions about the player's conduct, emphasizing the importance of improving behavior for the benefit of the team and the club's reputation.