Mitrovic faces lengthy ban after shoving referee in FA Cup

Aleksandar Mitrovic could face a lengthy spell in the sidelines after he was given a straight red card during Fulham’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup Quarter Final on Saturday afternoon.

The Serbian striker had given Fulham the lead in the 50th minute of the tie but lost his cool twenty minutes later as Fulham saw three red cards, one of those being manager Marco Silva.

Fulham lose the plot

In the 71^st minute, Antony sent Jadon Sancho through on goal as the winger rounded Bernd Leno before Willian’s blocked the goal-bound shot with his arm.

VAR intervened as referee Chris Kavanagh sent off the Brazilian after Silva was also shown red for failing to stay in his technical area.

However, in a moment of utter madness, Mitrovic, while protesting the decision, appeared to have shoved Kavanagh and was also duly dismissed from the proceedings.

The Serbian initially confronted the referee before also shouting at him in the process. The 28-year-old had to be restrained by coach Luis Boa Morte and his teammates before he left the field. This meant that Fulham lost the plot in a game they dominated for over 70 minutes.

After the match, Silva was reminded of the historic instance of Paolo Di Canio who received an 11-match ban after pushing Paul Alock in 1998.

Silva pleads for mercy

The Fulham manager, however, pleaded mercy on behalf of Mitrovic and on being asked is his striker should receive a longer ban than three matches, said, “I saw the image, and I spoke with Mitro; it is a moment for him to control the emotions. He pushed the referee but I hope the people who are going to decide, decide with what the moment deserves.”

It will be interesting to see how the FA takes action. In the case of Di Canio, the Italian’s reputation played a part in the ban, which could see a similar trend in the case of Mitrovic.

Should a lengthy ban ensue, it will be a hammer blow to Fulham’s remainder of the season. The London-based side currently sit ninth in the Premier League standings and are fighting for a European spot next season.

Photo Credit: Imago / Sportimage