Mitrovic is banned for eight matches
An independent FA panel announced on the evening of April 4, that Mitrovic was banned for seven more games, because he had served a previous sentence. The striker also had to pay a £75,000 ($94,000) fine, all for pushing referee Kavanagh when he blew a penalty for Man Utd after midfielder Willian blocked the ball on the Fulham goal line on March 19.
Coach Marco Silva was also banned for two games and fined $25,000 for using inappropriate language when referee Kavanagh went to the touchline to review the situation on the screen. The Portuguese coach was also fined an additional $ 25,000 for commenting at the referee during the post-match press conference, saying that "Fulham's games with Kavanagh this season have been difficult".
Fulham was also fined $50,000 for allowing players to surround the referee to react. In total, the London club had to pay a fine of $ 194,000 for this situation.
However, the FA considers that this fine is still light, and can appeal to recommend a heavier one.
70 minutes when Fulham led Man Utd 1-0 at Old Trafford, Willian used his hand to block the ball on the goal line from Jadon Sancho's shot. Referee Kavanagh did not give a penalty, but then went out to review the situation with the help of VAR. Before looking at the screen, he showed coach Silva a red card for a reaction error. After that, he gave Man Utd a penalty, drew a red card and sent Willian off. Mitrovic immediately jumped and pushed Kavanagh, causing him to receive another red card. Only playing with nine people, Fulham lost 1-3 and looked at Man Utd into the semi-finals.
Coach Silva and Mitrovic both apologized to referee Kavanagh later. Willian is also suspended for three games for a direct red card, and he still has two more games to go.
Fulham is ranked 10th in the Premier League with 39 points after 28 games, and there are not many goals left. They are almost certain to stay in the relegation zone, and are seven points away from their place in the European Cup next season.
Mitrovic is 29 years old, a mainstay Serbian striker with 52 goals in 81 matches. He has scored 11 goals in 21 matches for Fulham this season, contributing to helping the home team to once stand in the top 6 in the Premier League. He will return when Fulham takes on Leicester in round 35 on May 8, if not severely punished.
