Matheus Cunha may be facing potential disciplinary trouble following his emotional celebration after scoring against Arsenal, with reports suggesting his post-goal actions could attract the attention of the Football Association.
On Sunday afternoon, Manchester United made the trip to the Emirates Stadium aiming to build on their impressive victory over Manchester City.
In a thrilling and fiercely contested encounter, United emerged with a dramatic 3–2 win over Arsenal, further boosting confidence and momentum within the squad.
United’s goals came from Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, and Matheus Cunha, whose late strike ultimately proved decisive.
Arsenal, meanwhile, benefited from an own goal by Lisandro Martínez before Mikel Merino added a second for the home side, setting up a tense and chaotic finish to the match.
Cunha’s goal, which restored United’s lead at 3–2, was a moment of pure quality and emotion. However, it was what followed the goal that has since drawn scrutiny.
As television cameras zoomed in on the Brazilian forward during his celebration, Cunha appeared to shout something directly toward the lens.
While the exact words were unclear, reports suggest that his outburst may have included offensive language.
According to Manchester Evening News, the content of Cunha’s words could not be fully deciphered, but it was believed to involve an explicit phrase.
The incident was noticeable enough that Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury felt compelled to issue an on-air apology almost immediately.
“If you heard some bad language in among the celebrations, for that we apologise,” Drury said during the broadcast.
In a follow-up report, Manchester Evening News indicated that Cunha could now be at risk of facing a ban, depending on how the Football Association chooses to interpret the incident.
Under FA regulations, the use of “offensive, insulting, or abusive language and/or gestures” is considered a disciplinary offence and can result in sanctions, even if it is not punished by the referee during the match.
The rules further clarify that while referees may not always catch every instance of swearing in the heat of the moment, the FA retains the authority to act retrospectively.
If an incident is captured on camera and broadcast to a wide audience, disciplinary action can still be taken after the game.
Importantly, the FA treats swearing directly into a television camera as a particularly serious matter. Such behavior is regarded as a “clear and deliberate” act that can bring the game into disrepute, increasing the likelihood of punishment.
There is clear precedent for this kind of action. In 2011, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney received a two-match suspension after being caught swearing into the camera following a goal against West Ham United at Upton Park.
Rooney was subsequently charged with the use of “offensive, insulting and/or abusive language,” leading to his ban.
Whether Cunha will face similar consequences remains to be seen, but the incident has already sparked debate. What was meant to be a moment of celebration and passion could now potentially overshadow his match-winning contribution, depending on the FA’s review and final decision.
