Aleksandar Mitrovic BARGES ref Chris Kavanagh in a moment of madness against Manchester United
Aleksandar Mitrovic PUSHES referee Chris Kavanagh into a moment of madness against Man United, with Fulham showing three red cards in one minute as they implode at Old Trafford and lose 3-1 after leading
- Aleksandar Mitrovic was furious after Willian saw red for handball
- The Serbian striker shoved Chris Kavanagh and was immediately sent off as well.
- Fulham boss Marco Silva also saw red for dissent during the VAR review
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off for shoving referee Chris Kavanagh in a moment of insanity in their 3-1 FA Cup loss to Manchester United.
The Cottagers led 1-0 on 70 minutes when Jadon Sancho rounded Bernd Leno and looked set to equalize the hosts before Willian blocked his effort from the line with his hand.
Having initially given a corner, Kavanagh was directed by VAR to the pitch monitor to review a potential penalty and red card. Before watching the replay, Kavanagh sent off Fulham boss Marco Silva for bursting onto the screen and shouting in disagreement.
After watching the replay, Kavanagh made a beeline for Willian and as the referee reached into his pocket for the red card, Mitrovic saw himself red, getting in the referee’s way and shoving him to try and get his attention.
As a shocked Kavanagh showed Mitrovic his red card, the Serbian striker continued to berate him as he thrust his chest into the referee’s, forcing Kavanagh to retire before Willian and United goalkeeper David De Gea stepped in to save. push it away
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic shoves referee Chris Kavanagh in a moment of madness
Mitrovic continued to confront the referee when Kavanagh showed him a red card.
The Serbian striker continued to physically confront the referee after being sent off
Mitrovic was furious after Willian received a red for a handball from Jadon Sancho’s shot
Fulham had been on top up to that point, deservedly leading thanks to Mitrovic’s goal, but after Bruno Fernandes scored the resulting penalty, they soon capitulated with nine men. Marcel Sabitzer gave United the lead, with Fernandes adding a third in stoppage time to set up an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at Wembley.
Fulham boss Silva refused to admit his side imploded, saying: ‘No, no, no (I think so). Of course at that point I shouldn’t be expelled, of course, it’s something that if you ask me if it’s something I want to let go of, of course not.
‘I have to be there, it’s my place to be there, of course. At that point, if you ask me if I did something I’m really happy with, of course not.
If you ask me what should be a red card, I have great doubts because I want to know what the referee is going to write about what I told him. Because he can’t and of course he has to write something to get me a red card.’
Former United midfielder Roy Keane criticized the west London team for “self-destruction” that cost them the game.
“(It was) the destruction of the delf really there with the incident, particularly from the penalty, the reaction of the manager and the players,” Keane said on ITV. “Obviously it’s an emotional game, we’ve all been there, but it’s just a crazy 90 seconds and it cost them the game.”
The Fulham coach was also sent off for dissent during the VAR review due to Willian’s hand
Roy Keane criticized Fulham for the ‘self-destruction’ that cost them Sunday’s game
Bruno Fernandes dispatched the penalty before scoring another in the closing stages
‘and gabriel [interviewer Clarke] he points out that it’s not necessarily about United winning, it’s about Fulham finding a way to lose, so I don’t sympathize with Fulham.
‘They may get a clap or two, they won’t get any from me. They had an opportunity and they blew it.
Mitrovic could face a lengthy ban on top of three games in what is a blow to Fulham’s European hopes.
Former West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio was banned for 11 games for pushing a referee in a similar way in 1998.
