LONDON:
Fulham hit Aleksandar Mitrovic said on Wednesday that he regretted pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during the controversial FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United which is expected to keep the Serbian out for a long time.
Mitrovic was shown a straight red card for tackling Kavanagh after the referee awarded a penalty and sent off Fulham’s Willian for a ball on the line.
The Football Association has since announced that the standard punishment for Mitrovic’s dismissal – a three-match ban – would be “clearly insufficient”.
Fulham were leading 1-0 at red card time, but lost 3-1.
“On a personal level, I regret my actions that caused me to be fired. I let my frustration get the better of me, and the way I reacted was wrong,” the statement said. Mitrovic said in a statement posted on the club’s website.
“I have accepted a three-game ban for my red card, I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise, and I have offered 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 team on the pitch as soon as possible.”
Fulham manager Marco Silva was also shown a red card at Old Trafford for his objections to the officials.
Silva has been charged with a number of offences, including misconduct, misconduct and abuse of match officials.
“I regret what happened and I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise,” said the Portuguese coach.
“He knows that I respect him and the work that he has to do, but unfortunately, we did not see eye to eye that day, but I know that he is one of The best referee in this country and I know, if. When our paths cross again, there will be respect between us.”
There were calls for Mitrovic to be banned for up to 10 games.
The loss of the 28-year-old could prove crucial to Fulham’s sudden challenge to qualify for Europe.
Silva’s team sits ninth in the Premier League, three points out of seven, which seems to be enough for a place in the Europa Conference League next season.
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