Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham has been handed an eight-match ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during his club’s FA Cup clash against Manchester United.
The initial red card suspension of three games for Mitrovic has been increased to eight games due to his violent behavior toward a match official and his use of “improper, abusive, insulting, and threatening” language.
The 28-year-old Serbian striker attacked Kavanagh after Willian was sent off for handling the ball on the line at Old Trafford during Fulham’s FA Cup defeat against Manchester United on the 19th of March, 2023.
Aleksandar Mitrovic unsuccessfully disputed the conviction for aggressive conduct, and he was found guilty of the lesser offense and fined 75 thousand pounds.
The 28-year-old served the first match of his suspension on Saturday, 1st of April, 2023, in Fulham’s 2-1 English Premier League defeat against Bournemouth, and will now miss the club’s next seven top-flight games.
Here are the matches Aleksandar Mitrovic will miss;
April 8, 2023, against West Ham United ( Premier League).
April 15, Everton (Premier League).
April 22, Leeds United (Premier League).
April 25, Aston Villa (Premier League).
April 30, Manchester City (Premier League).
May 3, Liverpool (Premier League).
May 8, Leicester City (Premier League).
On the other hand, the independent regulatory committee also penalized Fulham head coach Marco Silva for his role in prompting Mitrovic’s response.
Although Silva admitted to making rude and abusive language to Kavanagh and the fourth official, he claimed he did not smash a water bottle at the assistant referee.
Despite this, the charge was maintained, leading to a 20 thousand pounds punishment and a second fine of the same amount for criticizing the referee’s honesty in his post-game news conference.
In addition, he received a two-game touchline suspension.
A further 40 thousand pounds was granted against Fulham for failing to control their players.
However, the English FA announced it plans to appeal against the decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission, as the football body wants longer bans for both Silva and Mitrovic.
The English FA spokesman said; “We note the decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission to sanction Marco Silva and Aleksandar Mitrovic”.
“Our current intention is to appeal both penalties, however, we will await the written before confirming our final position.”
In addition, Mitrovic and Silva apologized for being fined after the defeat at Old Trafford and before the judgments of the independent regulatory commission.
They said they had spoken to Kavanagh and emphasized they would accept the sanctions imposed against them.
The statement is a major setback for the Cottagers, who are currently in with a remote chance of playing in European competition next season.
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