Fulham vs Manchester City
Fulham vs Manchester City: Marco Silva will be missing Aleksandar Mitrovic who is serving a nine-game ban for violent behaviour against referee Chris Kavanagh. Credits: Twitter

Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic could face a suspension that will keep him out for the rest of the season, after pushing and shoving referee Chris Kavanagh during his side’s FA Cup encounter against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Marco Silva’s men arrived at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ on Sunday with the goal of ending United’s treble hopes.

Marco Silva has also been charged with being abusive to match officials. The Fulham manager will also face an improper conduct charge for allegedly throwing a water bottle at the assistant referee. In addition, the club has been charged with failing to control its players during the clash at the Old Trafford.

Aleksandar Mitrovic
The FA has called for more than the ‘standard ban’ for Aleksandar Mitrovic following his violent conduct against the referee. Credits: Twitter

FA deem standard ban ‘clearly insufficient’ for Aleksandar Mitrovic

After scoring the game’s first goal in the 50th minute , Aleksandar Mitrovic and Fulham’s fortunes began to unravel in the 72nd minute. Jadon Sancho had rounded Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno before Willian appeared to prevent the ball from entering the net with his arm. During the VAR review, Marco Silva was sent off for yelling at referee Kavanagh.

Willian was then shown a red card after Kavanagh pointed to the spot. However, Aleksandar Mitrovic couldn’t contain his disbelief and rage at Kavanagh’s decision to flash a straight red at his Brazilian teammate, and he got far too close and personal with the referee, shoving him with his chest, resulting in another red card for himself. On Monday night, the FA officially charged the Serbian, implying a lengthy ban. A statement from the FA read:

“The standard punishment which would otherwise apply to Aleksandar Mitrovic for the sending-off offence of violent conduct that he committed towards the match referee is clearly insufficient. In addition, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s behaviour and/or language was allegedly improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening following his dismissal.”

According to Paul Field, the head of the Referees’ Association, Mitrovic should serve more time for pushing a referee and even face community service. Field hoped the FA would consider a punishment similar to Manchester United’s Eric Cantona’s nine-month ban in 1995 for an attack on a Crystal Palace fan. Field told BBC Radio 5:

“I hope it’s more than 10 games. At an amateur level, a player is looking at about a year’s ban – why doesn’t that carry through to the professional game? Think about what Eric Cantona did nearly 30 years ago and he got nine months. I think they should put a really decent time on this.”

After receiving a straight red card for violent conduct, a player is usually suspended for three matches, but that ban can be extended depending on the circumstances. According to The Times, Mitrovic could be out for a long time and  could miss the rest of Fulham’s season. That would result in a huge blow to Silva’s side, which is eyeing a return to European football for the first time since 2010. The Cottagers sit ninth in the Premier League table, three points adrift of European spots.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored an impressive 11 goals in 21 Premier League appearances this season, following his blockbuster 43 goals in 44 Championship games last season which earned Fulham a promotion back to the English top flight. However, the FA Cup incident could prevail over his heroics so far for his club as he risks a ban until the end of the season.