LONDON: Manchester United star Matheus Cunha is at risk of a match suspension following abusive language uttered while celebrating the winning goal against Arsenal in the English Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.
The Brazilian striker scored a stunning goal to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory for United, but while celebrating the goal, Cunha was filmed facing the camera and heard making obscene remarks.
The incident forced Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury to make a direct apology to viewers for the inappropriate language heard during the broadcast.
The English Football Association (FA) is known to be strict against players who utter explicit abusive language towards the camera.
In 2011, United legend Wayne Rooney was banned for two matches for the same offence against West Ham.
According to the IFAB Laws of the Game, players are prohibited from using offensive, insulting or abusive language or actions.
If the referee hears it, a red card can be issued, while the FA has the right to take retrospective action if the incident is caught on camera and broadcast to the public.
The FA considers the act of swearing openly towards the camera to be a deliberate act that tarnishes the image of the game.
So far, there has been no confirmation whether the FA will take action against Cunha or what form of punishment will be imposed.
United are scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford this Saturday, before travelling to West Ham on February 10.
As United have already been eliminated from the FA Cup and League Cup, any suspension will only apply in the Premier League.
The win over Arsenal also lifted United to fourth in the league on 38 points, one point ahead of Chelsea, while Liverpool are in sixth place on 36 points.
If suspended, it would not be the first time Cunha has faced disciplinary issues with the FA.
Last season while with Wolverhampton Wanderers, he was suspended for an additional one match and fined 50,000 pounds after being shown a red card for attacking Bournemouth player Milos Kerkez in an FA Cup match.