Black Stars midfielder Mohammed Kudus has cited “various negative comments” on social media after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) doubleheader against Sudan as affecting him in the West Ham United game against Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League.
Kudus opened the scoring in the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but lost his cool in the 86th minute.
He was red-carded and on Wednesday handed an additional two-match ban.
He has also been fined £60,000 for the incident.
In his official response to the independent panel set up by the English FA to look into the incident, Kudus cited how mentally and physically challenging preparations for that game had been due to his outing with the national team.
Kudus, handed the iconic Number 10 jersey, captained the Black Stars in both games.
They drew the first leg by a goalless score and were beaten 2-0 by the Sudan team, coached by former Black Stars coach and captain James Kwesi Appiah.
“MK [Mohamed Kudus] stated that his preparation for the match had been mentally and physically challenging because he had travelled for a midweek international fixture and had received various negative comments on social media,” excerpts of his letter of response read.
“He referred to his work within the community and in his home country of Ghana, stressing how he tried to be a role model.”
Essentially, Kudus apologised for the incident and accepted the sanctions.
His club West Ham United have stated that they will make no further comments on the incident.
