The FA prepare to take action against Aleksandar Mitrovic for shoving referee Chris Kavanagh while they await the official match report… despite failing to punish Bruno Fernandes for shoving a linesman at Anfield earlier this month.
The FA is ready to take action against Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after he was sent off for shoving referee Chris Kavanagh in his team’s 3-1 FA Cup loss to Manchester United on Sunday.
Mitrovic had put the Cottagers ahead early in the second half at Old Trafford, but the game was turned around when Willian conceded a penalty and received a red card for blocking Jadon Sancho’s goal-line shot with his arm.
After Kavanagh gave Willian his marching orders following VAR intervention, Mitrovic confronted him, pushed him and then continued to yell in his face.
Kavanagh immediately drew a red card, while also sending off Fulham boss Marco Silva for his protests.
An FA spokesperson confirmed to Sportsmail that they are awaiting Kavanagh’s match report, but Mitrovic will be punished for his behaviour.
Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off on Sunday for putting his hands on referee Chris Kavanagh
He continued to rant in the referee’s face after being shown a red card and is ready to face FA action.
Bruno Fernandes escaped punishment for pushing a linesman less than two weeks ago
Bruno Fernandes scored twice in United’s comeback comeback on Sunday but was involved in a similar incident earlier this month during his team’s humiliating 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
The Portuguese star grew frustrated as he struggled to win the ball back from Trent Alexander-Arnold after it went offside, and took his anger out on the linesman by hitting him from behind.
However, Fernandes escaped punishment when referee Andy Madley deemed the incident not worth including in his match report.
The FA have the power to take retrospective action in ‘extraordinary’ circumstances, a spokesperson confirmed, but they did not feel that Fernandes’ drive fell into this category and opted not to take any further action.
Mitrovic was defended by his manager after the match but now faces a wait and see if he receives a prolonged ban.
Paolo Di Canio received an 11-match ban for his infamous shoving of referee Paul Alcock that sent the referee to the ground during a match between Sheffield Wednesday and Arsenal in 1998.
Kavanagh remained on his feet on Sunday, but Mitrovic’s shoving and subsequent barking in the referee’s face is likely to land him in trouble with the FA in days to come.