The English Football Association announced that Fulham international striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was suspended for eight matches due to being sent off in his team’s match against Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the England Cup on March 19, after he pushed the referee after awarding a penalty kick to the Red Devils.
The FA also suspended the Portuguese coach of Fulham, Marco Silva, for two matches, after he was also expelled for verbally attacking the referee.
And Mitrovic got a direct red card after he pushed the referee, Chris Kavanagh, after the latter awarded a penalty kick after a handball by Brazilian winger Willian and sent him off as well.
Fulham were leading 1-0 before eventually losing 3-1. Coach Silva also received a red card for protesting the referee’s decision, and the FA accused him of committing several misdemeanours, including inappropriate behavior, inappropriate behavior, and violent criticism of the referees.
The FA appears unhappy with the sanctions and has announced its possible intention to appeal the two decisions, although it is “awaiting the written results” of the Disciplinary Committee before making a decision.
The FA considered before an independent disciplinary committee that the automatic penalty of three matches for obtaining a direct red card was “clearly insufficient” and succeeded in its endeavor.
The committee added a three-game penalty to Mitrovic because of his movement towards the referee and two more matches for his insulting and threatening statements towards the referee after he was sent off, bringing the penalty to eight matches.
Mitrovic, who was also fined 75,000 pounds (85,000 euros), served a one-match ban and will only be able to play the last three matches of the league.
Mitrovic expressed his regret for pushing the referee and said in a statement posted on the club’s official website: “On a personal level, I regret my actions that led to my dismissal. I allowed my frustration to get the better of me, and my reaction was wrong.”
“I have accepted a three-match ban for my red card, I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise, and I have accepted the club’s fine. I now want to do what I can to get out of this incident and get back on the field as soon as possible.”
For his part, Silva admitted that he made disgraceful statements, inappropriate movements, threatening the main referee, and insulting expressions to the fourth referee.
He also pleaded guilty to his post-match statements questioning the impartiality of the referees, which led to a two-match ban and a £40,000 (€45,000) fine.