West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus has expressed his embarrassment regarding the red card incident that occurred during last month’s heated match against Tottenham Hotspur, which has now resulted in an extended suspension.
Initially facing a three-match ban, the Ghanaian international’s punishment has escalated to five games following an additional charge of violent conduct from the FA, along with a £60,000 fine.
The Ghanaian will also miss Premier League games against Everton, Newcastle, and Arsenal.
In a statement submitted to the independent regulatory commission, Kudus conveyed his deep regret for his actions after fouling Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven. In a letter shared by the commission, he admitted to having “lost his cool” and acknowledged that his behavior was “out of character.”
While Kudus mentioned that he couldn’t recall every detail of the altercation, he accepted that video evidence confirmed he had pushed Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr in the face—a move he recognized warranted a red card. He noted that while contact with Van de Ven was minimal, his reaction was inappropriate.
In his letter, Kudus began by apologizing and stated, “I am deeply embarrassed by my behavior in the 20 seconds following my foul on Micky van de Ven.” He acknowledged losing his composure and admitted that such actions were not typical of him.
Kudus further explained that although he felt Van de Ven had exaggerated the incident due to the minimal contact, he recognized that pushing Sarr was unjustifiable and deserved punishment. He emphasized that he did not injure anyone or use excessive force during the incident.
Additionally, Kudus revealed that his preparation for the match had been mentally and physically taxing. He had recently traveled for a midweek international fixture and faced various negative comments on social media. Throughout this challenging time, he stressed his commitment to being a role model in his community and in Ghana.
