Silva and Mitrovic 'regret' actions after red cards

Published on: 29 March 2023

Fulham manager Marco Silva and striker Aleksandar Mitrovic say they regret their actions and have apologised to referee Chris Kavanagh following their red cards at Manchester United.

Silva was charged with abusive behaviour towards match officials after the 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final loss.

Mitrovic, 28, was charged with violent and improper conduct after his straight red card for pushing referee Kavanagh.

"I should have controlled my own emotions better," said Silva.

In a statement, the 45-year-old Silva added: "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."

Serbia forward Mitrovic is facing a lengthy ban after the Football Association said its standard punishment for his sending off at Manchester United was "clearly insufficient".

He said time away with his national side had allowed him time to reflect on the match at Old Trafford, in which he was dismissed for pushing referee Kavanagh as he protested a penalty awarded to United.

Fulham had led 1-0, but they collapsed after Silva was red-carded as Kavanagh reviewed the penalty for handball - which led to Brazilian Willian also being sent off before Mitrovic angrily remonstrated.

With an apology to his team-mates and the club's supporters, he said: "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."

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Source: bbc.com

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