Marco Silva
Fulham boss Marco Silva says Aleksandar Mitrovic should control his emotions, but feels the striker does not deserve a long ban for shoving referee Chris Kavanagh at Old Trafford. Silva said he was sent off for leaving his technical area as the referee viewed a replay on the pitchside monitor. However, the Fulham boss admitted he did shout at the official.
Marco Silva said: “I am not going to lie. I didn’t say he was a really nice guy and the decision was fair. But he didn’t hear me.”
Willian was dismissed for deliberate handball, prompting a furious response from Fulham goalscorer Mitrovic, who angrily shoved Kavanagh’s arm and had to be dragged away from the official twice by club staff and team-mates after he had also been shown a red card. In his post-match press conference, Silva was asked whether he expected Mitrovic to receive a lengthy ban, such as the 11-match punishment Paolo Di Canio received for shoving referee Paul Alcock in 1998.
Marco Silva said: “I didn’t see in a so, so bad way. He pushed the referee and Mitro should control his emotions. I saw the image and I will speak with him. But I hope the people who are going to decide do so with fairness that the moment deserves.”
Silva claimed Fulham had been denied two penalties for fouls on Mitrovic earlier in the game. He also launched a personal attack on Kavanagh, recalling a defeat against West Ham in October when he was booked for arguing over a goal he did not believe should have stood.
Marco Silva said: “Our story with Chris Kavanagh this season has been tough for us. Unfortunately, we have been very unlucky with him this season. Many moments. It is difficult to understand some of the decisions. We had that West Ham game away from home. We lost the game with two clear handball goals and it was Chris Kavanagh in that moment. Today, everyone saw what is happening in this game. It is difficult for them to not look for these things.”
