Aleksandar Mitrovic, a forward received an eight-game suspension by the Football Association (FA) after pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during his team’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat against Manchester United on March 19. Mitrovic served the first game of his suspension during Fulham’s 2-1 loss at Bournemouth on Saturday and will now miss his team’s next seven Premier League matches.
The 28-year-old was initially given a standard three-match suspension for being shown a red card. However, that was increased by three matches for aggressive behavior toward a referee and two more for using “improper, abusive, insulting, and threatening language.”
Mitrovic pleaded guilty to the second violation, which also carried a £75,000 fine, but he unsuccessfully contested the violent behavior allegation. The independent regulatory commission also fined Fulham head coach Marco Silva £20,000 and handed him a two-game touchline suspension after he admitted to using abusive and insulting language but denied hurling a water bottle at Kavanagh or the fourth judge.
The incident happened in the 72nd minute of the quarter-final tie at Old Trafford when Fulham was leading 1-0. Mitrovic was sent off after pushing referee Kavanagh, who tried calming him down after he reacted angrily to Silva’s dismissal. The Fulham manager was sent to the stands to remonstrate with the officials.
Following the game, Mitrovic and Silva expressed regret for being fired. They said they had spoken to Kavanagh and emphasized they would take the sanctions imposed on them. “I lament the acts that got me fired on a personal level.
Mitrovic claimed I made the mistake of letting my annoyance get the best of me. “Emotions were running high at Old Trafford, and I should have better controlled my emotions,” said Silva. It was a very challenging time in a match we had dominated, but I could have managed it better. I am sorry for what occurred.”
Fulham manager Marco Silva was disappointed with the punishment handed to him by the FA, stating that he felt the ban was excessive. He also revealed that he had spoken to Mitrovic about the incident and that the striker was remorseful about his actions. “I think the ban is excessive, but it’s not for me to decide. Mitro is very disappointed with himself. We talked and he was very apologetic. He knows he let the team down and he wants to make up for it,” Silva said.
Despite their apologies, the FA decided to take a tough stance against the two Fulham men. The governing body’s decision to appeal the sanctions suggests that the bans should be longer. Mitrovic’s absence will be a big blow for Fulham, who are in 10th position in the premier league table.
The Serbia international is the team’s top scorer this season, with 11 goals in the premier league, and his physical presence and work rate make him a key player for the Cottagers. Fulham will now have to cope without Mitrovic for the next seven league games, which include matches against West Ham, Everton, Leeds, Aston Vila, and Manchester City. Silva will also be unable to sit in the dugout for the next two games, against West Ham and Everton.