Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been handed an eight-game suspension from English Football Association (FA) after pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during his team’s 3-1 loss to Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.
Mitrovic, who received a straight red card for his actions, pushed the referee as he was protesting a penalty decision against his team, which also resulted in a red card for teammate Willian who was found to have handled the ball on the goal line.
While Mitrovic was initially served a three-game ban by the FA, football’s governing body determined that this was an insufficient punishment given his inappropriate conduct.
Fulham manager Marco Silva called for leniency from the FA in light of Mitrovic’s suspension. “I saw the image and I spoke with Mitro, it is a moment for him to control the emotions,” Silva said after the game.
“He pushed the referee, but I did not see that in so bad, bad way like you are saying to me. But I hope the people who are going to decide [do so] with fairness.”
