The Football Association has confirmed it has charged Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and manager Marco Silva for their actions which led to them both being sent off against Manchester United.
The Cottagers were leading the FA Cup quarter-final tie 1-0 when referee Chris Kavanagh showed Willian a red card for a deliberate handball which denied a goalscoring opportunity. But it was the aftermath of that incident which looks set to lead to a number of bans.
Mitrovic, who is Fulham's top scorer with 11 Premier League goals was incandescent with rage and pulled Kavanagh back before pointing in his face and shouting at him. The Serbian was duly given a red card, with Silva suffering the same fate for his own angry reaction.
There have been calls for Mitrovic to face a significant ban from Premier League action, with the FA confirming they believe the standard three-match ban for violent conduct is "clearly insufficient" for the severity of the incident.
A statement released on Monday night reads: "Fulham, Marco Silva and Aleksandar Mitrović have been charged following the incidents that took place in or around the 72nd minute of their tie against Manchester United in The FA Cup on Sunday 19 March.
"It’s alleged that Marco Silva used abusive and/or insulting words and/or gestures and/or behaviour towards the match referee; that he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official prior to his dismissal; and that he also used abusive and/or insulting words and/or gestures and/or behaviour towards the fourth official after being sent off.
"It’s further alleged that in throwing a water bottle in the direction of the assistant referee his behaviour was improper."
In regards to Mitrovic they add: "The FA has claimed that the standard punishment which would otherwise apply to Aleksandar Mitrović for the sending off offence of violent conduct that he committed towards the match referee is clearly insufficient.
"In addition, Aleksandar Mitrović’s behaviour and/or language was allegedly improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening following his dismissal. It’s also alleged that Fulham failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion."
With Fulham reduced to nine men, United made their numerical advantage count, ultimately winning the tie 3-1. Silva and Fulham have been one of the success stories of the season, with the newly-promoted outfit battling for a European place, with much of that success down to the goals of Mitrovic.
Silva, speaking before the FA statement, admitted that he hoped his star striker would avoid an extended ban. “I saw the image of course and I already spoke with Mitro. It is a moment for him to control the emotions," he explained.
“Of course he pushed the referee but I didn’t see that being so bad as you are saying, so I hope the people who are going to decide, decide with the fairness the moment deserves.”
Silva also suggested that Fulham's issues with Kavanagh went beyond their Old Trafford frustrations, referring back to their 3-1 loss at West Ham in October, when he allowed two goals involving handballs.
He added: “Our story with Chris Kavanagh this season has been really tough as a football club. Before the match we didn’t mention anything to the players, it’s the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, let’s go to do our best to play the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
“That was our goal and I think we showed that in 75 minutes, but they know as well he was the referee for that game at West Ham when we lost with two clear handball goals, it was Chris Kavanagh in that moment. This afternoon everyone saw what happened…Of course in all moments we should control the emotions but we are human beings.”
There is precedence for the FA to dole out a heavier sanction, in 1998 Paulo Di Canio was given an 11-match ban for pushing over a referee, while ex-Southampton midfielder received 10 games for a similar incident in 2005.
