Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marco Silva apologise as they speak out over the red card incidents with referee Chris Kavanagh.
After Willian was sent off, Silva and Mitrovic were both shown marching orders at Old Trafford on the 19th of February, with the expectation that the Serbian would get a lengthy ban.
The duo has now apologised to Chris Kavanagh, the referee who was involved in the drama of the match that took place just before the international break.
Silva is now facing a touchline ban while Mitrovic, who has been fined by Fulham, might possibly face a long suspension for pushing Kavanagh as the FA believe a standard three-match suspension is insufficient.
▪️ Handball by Willian on the goalline
▪️ VAR intervene, penalty given, Marco Silva shown red
▪️ Mitrovic sent off for confronting referee
▪️ Willian sent off
▪️ Fernandes equalises
▪️ Sabitzer puts #MUFC aheadA wild few minutes.
🎥 @itvfootball pic.twitter.com/Gd0VLrFYH8
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2023
Mitrovic, in a statement released on Wednesday, said of the incident: “I have been away with my national team and have had some time to reflect on the Manchester United match. As everyone knows, it was a very emotional one, in which the team gave absolutely everything on the pitch to try to reach the semi-Final of the FA Cup.
“On a personal level, I regret my actions that led to me being sent off. I allowed my frustration to get the better of me, and how I reacted was wrong. I was trying to get the referee’s attention, but I appreciate that I should not have put my hands on him and I understand why he showed me a red card, my first in-game sending off for Fulham and my first since the 2015-16 season.
“I have accepted the three-match ban for my red card, I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise, and I have volunteered 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-mates on the pitch as soon as possible.
“In the meantime, I would like to reiterate my regret that this happened. I have already said sorry to my team-mates, but I would also like to apologise to the Fulham fans, particularly those who travelled to Old Trafford to support us and who did not stop singing all game. I hope to be back soon and repay their faith and support.”
Silva added: “Emotions were high at Old Trafford and, as I said in my press conference after the game, I should have controlled my own emotions better. It was a very difficult moment, in a match that we had dominated, but I could have handled the situation better.
“I regret what happened, and I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise. He knows that I respect him and the job he has to do. Unfortunately, we did not see eye-to-eye on the day, but I recognise that he is one of the top referees in this country and I know that, when our paths cross again, there will be mutual respect between us.
“I am sorry that I was not on the pitch to try to lead the team to what could have been an historic FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but I am thankful for all the support I have received from Fulham fans over the last few days.”
Mitrovic: “I regret my actions… I allowed my frustration to get the better of me, and how I reacted was wrong.”
Statements here: #FFC https://t.co/vk0XN3MUTo
— Peter Rutzler (@peterrutzler) March 29, 2023
This is what fans said as Fulham’s Mitrovic and Silva apologise while they speak out over red card incidents with the referee…
@TomRogers24: reckon this might reduce the punishment’s somewhat? A public apology to the referee. Maybe Kavanagh agrees he didn’t handle it very well?
@Louie_JW_: Cool, done and dusted. No further action necessary, everyone’s friends again
@SammyShubbar: Defo agree! Reckon the FA said issue an apology and we’ll see what’s what. No coincidence it’s happened straight after the hearing chatter (plus nearly 10 days after the incident)… Hilarious how hidden the article is on the website though 😂
@A2Booch: Yea, I also think all the video showing Mitrovic having his hand curled inside and not grabbing the ref may be huge. It changes it from pulling and grabbing the ref to bumping it like Fernandes did
@Fulhamflutter: If Mitro is only getting a 3 game ban it’ll upset so many people and I’m all for it. Hope Dean Saunders, Chris Sutton and all the other mugs who were gunning for him are foaming from the mouth right now. #TheBigSerbianStriker #UTF
@AdamFFC: I didn’t want an apology from Mitro or Marco. It’s a weak mentality, we shouldn’t be cowering to the corruption which took place at old Trafford, Chris kavanagh is solely to blame for what happened
@AdamFFC: If Mitro only gets a 3 match ban then fine but the apology wasn’t needed, saying sorry for something is true is a forced apology and the wrong thing to do
@davidftracey: I think he might be trying to work the moment 🧐
@drunard: 3 with extra suspended perhaps?
@steve100872: That sends a strong message about player behaviour towards refs.
@simonlewis1000: Perhaps Kavanagh will reciprocally apologise for failing to note the most obvious push this season by Shaw on Mitro, in the third minute, which should have led to a penalty to FFC
@matt_ta_87: “I’ve accepted my 3 game ban” – Yeah, and the rest pal
@jimmymcbride1: Casemiro’s currently serving a four match ban for a tackle where he actually got the ball first, meanwhile Mitrovic gets a three match ban for his attack on the referee … it’s a funny old game 🤷🏻♂️
@Russ_Goldman: I am glad that Both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marco Silva have apologized for their actions at Old Trafford. It was the right thing to do. I respectfully disagree with those who believe that apologizing is a sign of weakness as I see it as a sign of strength. We all make mistakes.
@fulham__pat: Is that cunt of a ref gonna apologise too for being absolutely wank at his job? #FFC
@JackCraig71: Kavanagh owes fulham an apology for his repeated biased performances against us. How the FA aren’t picking up on this is beyond me
Here’s the video. pic.twitter.com/cucPX0BCkw
— Jamie (@jamiewillby) March 29, 2023
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