West Ham Boss Blames Ghana for Kudus Red Card

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has criticized the Black Stars for contributing to Mohammed Kudus’s loss of composure during the recent Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Lopetegui emphasized that Kudus needs to improve his temperament, stating, “I think that he brings his frustration with his national team too, because they lost and drew their matches and that was bad.”

‘He has to improve his temperament because this can’t happen. I am sure this will be the last time it happens. The only way to handle frustration is to focus on the match because these kinds of behaviours ruin the match. He will learn about this incident and his behaviour will be better in the future,” he added.

He further remarked, “The only way to handle frustration is to focus on the match because these kinds of behaviors ruin the game. He will learn from this incident, and his behavior will be better in the future.”

Kudus had initially given West Ham the lead in this London Derby, scoring the opening goal after connecting with Jarrod Bowen’s cut-back in the first half. His goal showcased his talent and promise, putting the Hammers ahead 1-0.

However, the match took a downward turn for West Ham as Tottenham responded strongly, ultimately defeating them 4-1.

As the match neared its conclusion, with only four minutes remaining, a critical incident unfolded. Kudus was challenged by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, who provoked a reaction from the Ghanaian midfielder.

In response to a tackle and van de Ven’s gestures, which included pointing to his head, Kudus retaliated by poking van de Ven in the face. He further escalated the situation by also poking Pape Sarr.

The confrontation prompted the referee to consult the video assistant referee (VAR), resulting in Kudus receiving a red card; his first since 2019, after the initial yellow card was upgraded.

Manager Julen Lopetegui attributed Kudus’s unsportsmanlike behavior to the midfielder’s frustrations stemming from recent performances with the Ghana national team.

The Black Stars experienced a disappointing October international break, where they lost and drew against Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

This poor run of results has left Ghana on the brink of potentially missing out on the AFCON for the first time since 2004, heightening the stakes for players like Kudus.

The Football Association (FA) is currently deliberating the length of the ban to impose on Kudus, who will miss the next three league games for West Ham due to his red card.

A decision from the FA is anticipated shortly after the weekend, leaving both the club and Kudus awaiting the outcome of this disciplinary matter. As West Ham looks to regroup after a disappointing match, the focus now shifts to how they will navigate the upcoming fixtures without one of their key players.