Fulham manager Marco Silva has taken aim at the FA after they decided to ban his striker Aleksandar Mitrovic for an altercation with referee Chris Kavanagh but not punish Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes for what he deemed was a similar incident a few weeks prior.
Mitrovic was given a straight red card at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-final against United when he shoved Kavanagh after the referee had dismissed Willian for a deliberate handball. Silva was also sent off during a wild few moments after the referee believed the Fulham boss was attempting to interfere while he observed the replay of the Willian incident on a pitchside monitor.
The chaotic spell turned the tide as United progressed comfortably to the semi-finals of the competition. Speaking to the media for the first time since Mitrovic's punishment was confirmed, Silva claimed that his player was harshly treated considering Fernandes' push of the assistant referee during United's 7-0 loss to Liverpool was not penalised.
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He explained: "I respect the rules and that’s it. I’m not the right person to say how many games. It depends how they see it. Because it’s not so strict, that the people touch an official should get three games or more. It’s not so.
"A couple of weeks ago we had a good example and not even a booking. You know the example that I am talking about. He [Fernandes] was not even booked… About the moment with ourselves, we regret. Mitro will learn and to improve."
While Mitrovic is currently serving a three-match ban for the incident, he could still have his suspension extended further should the country's governing body wish to do so.
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