The 28-year-old forward was dismissed by Centre Referee, Chris Kavanagh, for indecent behaviour on the pitch. Mitrovic shoved Kavanagh on the back when the referee went to look at the pitch-side monitor to analyse a penalty incident involving Fulham’s winger, Willian.
Willian looked to have handled the ball when Man United’s Jadon Sancho’s effort was goal bound. Referee Kavanagh gave three red cards to two Fulham players; Mitrovic and Willian, as well as manager, Marco Silva.
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But it was Mitrovic’s action that sparked so many reactions at the end of the match.
What Did Clattenburg Say About The Incident?
Clattenburg 48, is the latest expert to give his opinion on the incident. Using the incident that involved him and former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel as a yardstick.
“…Chelsea’s Mikel John Obi once swung at me in the referee’s room at Stamford Bridge. He screamed he wanted to break my legs and was being held back by Roberto Di Matteo and Eddie Newton,” Clattenburg opinion in his Daily Mail column reads inter alia.
“In the end, Mikel only received a three-match ban for that incident. I thought, ‘Are the FA taking the p***? He should be banned for the rest of the season, if not more.’
“Mitrovic wasn’t as aggressive as Mikel, but he got physical with Kavanagh. The FA may now use him to set an example to others.
“Referees need to be respected at the highest level because if they aren’t, that impacts what happens at the lowest level.”
The marching orders significantly impacted the performance of the Cottagers as they were arguably the better side before the fracas ensued.
Fulham went on to lose the game 3-1. A brace from Bruno Fernandes and Marcel Sabitzer’s cheeky goal in between ensured the Red Devils advanced to the semifinals of the FA cup. Where they would lock horns with Brighton and Hove Albion.
By Habeb Abiodun
