Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has urged the FA to make an example of Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic after they charged him with violent conduct.
Mitrovic pushed referee Chris Kavanagh after he awarded Manchester United a penalty against the Cottagers in their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday. The striker was immediately shown a straight red card by Kavanagh.
Willian joined the striker in taking an early bath as he was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, with manager Marco Silva sent to the stands for his protests on the touchline. Fulham had been leading before that point but ultimately fell to a 3-1 defeat.
The Cottagers, Mitrovic and Silva have all now been hit with multiple charges by the FA as they deal with the incident. And Clattenburg highlighted their response to him being "swung at" by Chelsea star Mikel John Obi as a reason why Mitrovic should face heavy punishment.
"Chelsea’s Mikel John Obi once swung at me in the referee’s room at Stamford Bridge. He screamed he wanted to break my legs and was being held back by Roberto Di Matteo and Eddie Newton," Clattenburg told the Daily Mail.
"In the end, Mikel only received a three-match ban for that incident. I thought, ‘Are the FA taking the p***? He should be banned for the rest of the season, if not more.’ Mitrovic wasn’t as aggressive as Mikel, but he got physical with Kavanagh.
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"The FA may now use him to set an example to others. Referees need to be respected at the highest level because if they aren’t, that impacts what happens at the lowest level."
The governing body signaled their intention to severly punish Mitrovic when they announced their list of charges on Monday night. As well as hitting Silva with four charges, the FA took aim at Mitrovic for his actions.
"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." the statement read.
"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."
Silva addressed the actions of his star striker following his side's defeat at Old Trafford. While he conceded Mitrovic had been in the wrong, the Fulham boss hoped he would not be hit with a lengthy ban.
He said: “I saw the image of course and I already spoke with Mitro. It is a moment for him to control the emotions. 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.”
