'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Matheus Cunha could face ban for outburst as Sky Sports apologise for Man Utd star
Jan 25 2026 19:15 · By Amie Wilson · 19 Reads
View 2 Images
Manchester United star Matheus Cunha could face a ban after a foul-mouthed outburst during his celebrations. The Brazilian scored a stunning goal to give United a late 3-2 lead over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The forward wheeled away in celebrations and was mobbed by teammates, before looking straight into the camera and can be heard saying "f****** (inaudible)". The goal turned out to be the winning strike for United as they continued their 100 percent record under interim boss Michael Carrick.
In the minutes after the celebration, Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury issued an apology, by saying: "If you heard some mad language among the celebrations we apologise.
The FA have been known to take exception to players swearing directly down the camera. Back in 2011, United legend Wayne Rooney was banned for two games for doing so during the Premier League match vs West Ham , Cunha therefore risks the same sort of punishment.
The IFAB Laws of the game state that players must not use offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or actions. If a referee hears, then players can be shown a red card.
However, if a referee doesn't hear then the FA has the power to take retrospective action, especially if the incident is caught on camera and is broadcast to a wide audience. The FA views swearing directly into a camera as 'clear and deliberate' and something which brings the game into disrepute.
It's still to be seen if the FA will take retrospective action against Cunha, and if they do, how long it will take for the verdict and punishment to be decided.
View 2 Images
FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
United are next in action next Saturday when they host Tottenham at Old Trafford (12.30pm kick-off). They then travel to take on West Ham on February 10 (8.15pm kick-off).
United's exit from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, means that any ban for Cunha will now be served in the Premier League, with that the only competition the club are now involved in.
The win for United lift them above Chelsea and into fourth place in the Premier League table. United now sit on 38 points, one point above the Blues with 37, while Liverpool are in sixth position with 36 points.
Should he be banned, it's not the first time that the United man has been in trouble with the FA. Last season, when he was with Wolves , the forward was banned for an extra game and fined £50,000 for his actions in the club's defeat vs Bournemouth .
He was shown a straight red card for lashing out at then Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez in the final minute of extra time in the FA Cup clash. He had to be escorted off the pitch and down the tunnel after being sent off.
The ban saw him miss four games, it followed a ban earlier in the season, when he was suspended for two games for clashing with a member of Ipswich Town's backroom staff.
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.