Fulham manager Marco Silva and striker Aleksandar Mitrovic have both apologised to referee Chris Kavanagh for their behaviour in the FA Cup defeat against Manchester United.
Mitrovic was sent off for putting his hands on Kavanagh in protest at Willian's dismissal for handling the ball on the goalline in the clash earlier this month. Silva, meanwhile, was shown a red card for reacting angrily on the touchline at Old Trafford. The London club took the lead in the game, but United came from behind to win 3-1.
In addition to apologising for the incident, Serbian frontman Mitrovic, who scored the opening goal in the 50th minute, has also volunteered to accept a club fine and said sorry to his teammates for letting them down with his reaction.
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Speaking on Wednesday, he said: "I have been away with my national team and have had some time to reflect on the Manchester United match. As everyone knows, it was a very emotional one, in which the team gave absolutely everything on the pitch to try to reach the semi final of the FA Cup.
"On a personal level, I regret my actions that led to me being sent off. I allowed my frustration to get the better of me, and how I reacted was wrong. I was trying to get the referee’s attention, but I appreciate that I should not have put my hands on him and I understand why he showed me a red card, my first in-game sending off for Fulham and my first since the 2015-16 season.
"I have accepted the three-match ban for my red card, I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise, and I have volunteered to accept a Club fine. I now want to do what I can to put this incident behind me and get back to helping my teammates on the pitch as soon as possible.
"In the meantime, I would like to reiterate my regret that this happened. I have already said sorry to my team-mates, but I would also like to apologise to the Fulham fans, particularly those who travelled to Old Trafford to support us and who did not stop singing all game. I hope to be back soon and repay their faith and support."
Meanwhile, Silva insisted that he would have no problem with Kavanagh overseeing another Fulham game in the future.
"Emotions were high at Old Trafford and, as I said in my press conference after the game, I should have controlled my own emotions better," said the Fulham boss. "It was a very difficult moment, in a match that we had dominated, but I could have handled the situation better.
"I regret what happened, and I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise. He knows that I respect him and the job he has to do. Unfortunately, we did not see eye-to-eye on the day, but I recognise that he is one of the top referees in this country and I know that, when our paths cross again, there will be mutual respect between us.
"I am sorry that I was not on the pitch to try to lead the team to what could have been an historic FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley, but I am thankful for all the support I have received from Fulham fans over the last few days."
Silva is set to face a touchline ban, while Mitrovic could be hit with a lengthy suspension for pushing Kavanagh - with the Football Association believing a standard three-match suspension is insufficient.
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