Pundit calls for huge ban after what happened in Man Utd v Fulham

Pundit Chris Sutton is calling for an extra-long ban for Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after Sunday’s controversy.
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Chris Sutton is calling for a lengthy ban for Aleksandar Mitrovic after the striker’s controversial moment during Fulham’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United.

Mitrovic went from hero to zero, scoring at Old Trafford before going on to be sent off in pretty inexcusable fashion. Fulham star Willian was sent off for a handball that led to a United penalty. In reaction to the VAR-assisted decision, Mitrovic chest-pumped referee Chris Kavanagh in anger and instantly received a red card.

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Within 40 seconds, Fulham saw Willian, Mitrovic and manager Marco Silva sent off, and the game got away from them within minutes, with United going on to score three to secure an FA Cup semi-final spot.

Mitrovic’s red card has caused outrage, given he made contact with an official, looking enraged as he clashed with Kavanagh. And it’s now over to the FA to see whether any further punishment is handed out. United star Bruno Fernandes managed to dodge punishment after making contact with an official recently, but it must be noted that there seemed to be less intent and less aggression involved.

And pundit Sutton believes the FA should slap Mitrovic with a 10-game ban, telling BBC 5 Live: “He saw the red mist. That’s no excuse. You cannot lay your hand on an official. In my opinion, it will impact further down the chain at grassroots level.

“There will be kids watching the game today who think, ‘well if Mitrovic can do it, so can I’.”

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Mitrovic would miss all-but one game between now and the end of the season should a 10-game ban be handed out, but it does seem unlikely such a long suspension would be dished out. The Fulham striker will, perhaps, be helped by the FA’s recent decision not to punish Fernandes at all, given the Cottagers would likely use that argument in appeal.