Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic slapped with 8-match suspension and £75,000 fine

Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and manager Marco Silva have both been handed suspensions and fines following their conduct during the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on March 19.

Mitrovic was initially given a three-match ban for his red card, but this was extended by three games for violent conduct towards a match official and an additional two games for using “improper, abusive, insulting and threatening” language. The Serbia striker also received a £75,000 fine.

Mitrovic banned for 8 PL games

Silva, who was also dismissed during the game, was handed a two-game touchline ban for using abusive and insulting language towards referee Chris Kavanagh and the fourth official.

He was also charged with throwing a water bottle towards the assistant referee, but denied the charge. Silva was fined £20,000 for his behaviour towards Kavanagh and an additional £20,000 for questioning the referee’s integrity in a post-match press conference.

Fulham were also fined £40,000 for failing to control their players during the game. Mitrovic has already served one game of his suspension during Fulham’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth on April 2.

Following the independent regulatory commission’s decision, the FA announced its plans to appeal against the sanctions. However, they will await the written reasons before confirming their final position.

Mitrovic and Silva both issued apologies to Kavanagh after the game, with Mitrovic stating that he allowed his frustration to get the better of him and regretted his actions. Silva admitted that he should have controlled his emotions better and regretted what happened during the match.

In the FA Cup quarter-final, Mitrovic had put Fulham ahead early in the second half, but was sent off in the 72nd minute for violent conduct towards Kavanagh. This followed a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check that resulted in Willian being sent off for a deliberate handball on the line, which led to United being awarded a penalty.

The FA stated that its standard punishment for Mitrovic’s dismissal at Old Trafford was “clearly insufficient,” leading to the extended ban and fine.

Fulham are currently in 10th place in the Premier League and will be without Mitrovic for their next seven top-flight matches. The club’s next game is at home against West Ham on April 9.