FA Cup

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC and Marco Silva have apologised to referee Chris Kavanagh and said they “regret” their FA Cup meltdown at Old Trafford.Fulham ace Mitrovic is facing a TEN-GAME ban for shoving and firing a verbal volley at Kavanagh as his side received three red cards in an astonishing 40 seconds.
Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic was caught shoving the referee in the FA Cup
Mitrovic was sent off after shoving referee Chris KavanaghCredit: Getty
Willian and Cottagers boss Silva were the other two sent off.
Silva could get a lengthy touchline ban for allegedly throwing a water bottle at an  assistant then making “improper” comments about Kavanagh after the match.
Mitrovic, 28, said: “I regret my actions.  I allowed my frustration to get the better of me and how I reacted was wrong. I’ve 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.”
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Willian’s VAR red card for a goal-line handball and Silva’s angry reaction seemed to trigger Mitrovic in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United.
The FA have charged Mitrovic with violent and improper conduct.
He added: “I was trying to get the referee’s attention but I should not have put my hands on him.
“I already said sorry to my team-mates but would also like to apologise to the Fulham fans.”
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Silva raged afterwards as he could not understand why Kavanagh oversaw the match following incidents in previous Fulham games. 
He said yesterday: “I should have controlled my own emotions better.
“I regret what happened and I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise.
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Mitrovic is facing a 10-game ban after his red card against Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
“He knows I respect him and the job he does.
“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.
“I know that, when our paths cross again, there will be mutual respect.” More

USAIN BOLT has revealed his conversation with Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag at their home game against Fulham.The sprinter is famously a Man United fan, and was in attendance at Old Trafford for a gripping FA Cup quarter-final, where his side triumphed 3-1 over visitors Fulham.
Bolt is a keen fan of Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
The Red Devils came away victorious after a drama-filled game that saw three red cards in quick succession to the visiting side.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist posted a picture of him and Ten Hag together to Twitter afterwards, adding that he was ‘passing on some vital information’ from United fans in Jamaica.
He then revealed that he had personally thanked the Man Utd manager for his role in rejuvenating the team.
Ten Hag has taken a team that had struggled to sixth place in last seasons Premier League to a side that has already lifted the Carabao Cup this season.
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Speaking to club media, the sprinting legend said “The first thing I said to him was thank you”.
“And he was like, ‘Thank you for what?’
“I was like, ‘Bringing the glory days back”.”
“For the past couple of years it’s been a tough ask for the players and a tough ask for the team and there’s been ups and downs, you know.
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“So the fact that now we can see us stabling out and going forward and going up, it’s brilliant.”
“All I was trying to say was just thank you, I appreciate [it] and just to continue what [you’re] doing.”
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The sprinter also met Sir Alex Ferguson during his visit to Old TraffordCredit: Getty
Bolt declared his support for the Dutchman, saying “I think it’s just so great Ten Hag has come in and [what he has] done for the club.”
The Jamaican star also met legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson during his visit.
Bolt had also spookily predicted the score before the match, reposting a clip to Twitter from Manchester United’s Instagram account.
In the video he posted, he says after being asked what the score will be: “I think it’s going to finish 3-1.”
The reigning 100m and 200m world record holder added caption “Told you” with a winking emoji.
The win for Man Utd means they will meet Brighton at Wembley next month for the FA Cup semi-final. More

PREMIER LEAGUE and EFL clubs have shelled out a staggering £1.3million in fines this season for abusive and aggressive behaviour.SunSport today reveals the astonishing sums collected by the Football Association when punishing foul-mouthed players and managers.
Aleksandar Mitrovic could receive a massive fine for manhandling Chris Kavanagh
Manchester City and Arsenal have received the biggest single fines of the season
Arsenal have been fined four times for failing to control their playersCredit: Getty
Jurgen Klopp was fined £30k for screaming in an official’s faceCredit: PA
In the wake of Fulham’s FA Cup quarter-final meltdown with three red cards in a mad 40 seconds on Sunday – with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marco Silva still to discover their punishment – another 54 teams from the 92 have been fined.
Arsenal have paid out the biggest amount in the Prem this season with fines totalling £185,000 while Manchester United and Everton have also parted with six-figure sums.
There are just five Prem clubs which have yet to be charged for poor on-field behaviour.
The FA have issued more than 100 fines to Prem and EFL clubs, totalling a remarkable £1,279,375.
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Mitrovic will be a head on the FA’s disciplinary spike, and rightly so, for his appalling conduct towards Chris Kavanagh in Fulham’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat.
But five years after Wembley re-launched its “Respect” campaign, the disrespect has plunged to an all-time nadir.
Of the 20 Prem clubs, no fewer than 15 have fallen foul of the FA, with aggregate fines of a stunning £932,500.
Mitrovic’s looming fine, alongside those for Fulham and boss Silva, will comfortably take that tally over the £1m mark – a badge of shame for the Prem.
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Arsenal top the league for the most fines this season
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Top of the “table”, as they are of the one that captures most attention, is Arsenal, with fines totalling £185,000 after four separate charges of “failing to control” their players.
Mikel Arteta, criticised by many for some of his touchline behaviour, has rightly been feted for the football his Gunners have shown.
But just as the red cards picked up by Arsene Wenger’s side became something of a running joke two decades ago, so the current Arsenal seem not to be worried about their disciplinary lapses.
The biggest single fine so far this season was the £75,000 collected by Manchester City for their behaviour in the crunch clash at the Emirates last month.
And along with Arsenal, United and Everton have both been fined more than £100,000 for multiple breaches of the regulations.
Arsenal’s rap sheet
November 2 – £20,000 (failing to control players)
January 13 – £40,000 (failing to control players)
January 19 – £40,000 (went up to £60,000 on Feb 17 – failing to control players)
February 15 – £65,000 (failing to control players, surrounding official)

Such is the FA’s concerns about what is happening week-in, week-out that senior Wembley officials recently wrote to all clubs “reminding them of their responsibilities” over the behaviour of players and coaching staffs.
In response to SunSport’s investigation, an FA spokesperson said: “Referees and match officials play vital roles in our national sport.
“Any inappropriate behaviour towards them is completely unacceptable.
“Players, coaches, support staff and club officials have a responsibility to treat them with respect, and action will be taken against anyone involved in English football where there is evidence that they have failed to meet that standard.”
The trouble, of course, is that the misbehaviour is not isolated to the top flight.
In addition to the Prem numbers, 15 of the 24 Championship clubs, 13 in League One and 12 in League Two have fallen foul of the disciplinary department.
The FA operates a sliding scale of financial punishments, ensuring the wealthier clubs in the top flight are hit more heavily in the pocket.
Yet many of Arteta’s squad, perhaps the majority of the first team, earn more per WEEK than the £185,000 fines they have been ordered to pay.
It is the same for the rest of the Prem. If it doesn’t hurt, and might give you a competitive advantage in the match, it will continue to happen.
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Let there be no doubt: something is rotten in the state of football.
Something needs to change – and quickly. More

FRESH footage from Manchester United’s FA Cup clash against Fulham has shown why Harry Maguire was furious before United’s penalty. The clash had seen Fulham take a 1-0 lead before Jadon Sancho’s strike struck the arm of Willian on the line.
Issa Diop could be seen kicking up the penalty spotCredit: https://twitter.com/_StrettyEnd/status/1637759049729994754
Before Harry Maguire confronted himCredit: https://twitter.com/_StrettyEnd/status/1637759049729994754
Fulham then lost their heads, with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marco Silva both being sent off with Willian following fierce protests.
While all this occurred, United captain Maguire was involved in a mass of players from both teams.
However, as he then moved towards the penalty spot, Antony told him how Fulham defender Issa Diop had been kicking up the penalty spot.
Maguire then confronted the ex-West Ham star, repeatedly pushing him back as he tried to step back onto the spot while other United players attempted to fix the damage caused.
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Diop was then seen debating with Marcel Sabizter and Antony, before he is seen hugging Maguire at the end of the footage.
Fans rushed to the comments to commend Maguire.
One user said: “You watch this and then see how much these players (Maguire, mostly) get abused when all they’re doing is defending the team and the badge.”
A second user added: “Maguire has earned my immense respect lately. The way he has dealt with being benched by ETH, never throws a tantrum, always comes on when needed and the way he celebrated trophy with Bruno and the team, shows his character.
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“He might not be a great defender but he’s a good lad.”
A third added: “Fair play Maguire! Big up!🙌🏼.”
Bruno Fernandes went on to score the penalty, kick-starting the team’s comeback as they sealed a 3-1 victory.
The win has set up an FA Cup semi-final with Brighton, with the prospect of a Manchester derby in the final.
Another storyline in the scuffle saw Luke Shaw and Kenny Tete cuddling during the chaos. More

ALEKSANDAR Mitrovic faces being ruled out until the last day of the season – as the FA threw the disciplinary book at Fulham.Wembley beaks announced charges against Mitrovic, manager Marco Silva and the Craven Cottage club in a get-tough clampdown.
Aleksandar Mitrovic faces a lengthy ban after being sent off against Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
Mitrovic was dismissed by referee Chris KavanaghCredit: Rex
And it is set to lead to a massive suspension for Mitrovic, an extended touchline ban for Silva and a huge fine for Fulham.
Serbian striker Mitrovic lost his head after Chris Kavanagh correctly took VAR advice to award Manchester United a penalty and dismiss Willian for handball in the FA Cup quarter-final clash on Sunday.
Sun Sport understands that in addition to explaining the red card, Kavanagh’s official report to the FA included a full account of the verbal confrontation that followed Mitrovic’s dismissal when he shouted into the referee’s face.
That started the disciplinary process that has left Mitrovic facing a potential 10-match ban.
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Earlier yesterday, SunSport revealed that the FA had already contacted Fulham to tell the club it was not prepared to allow a standard three-game violent conduct ban.
That was officially confirmed as an FA spokesperson said: “The FA has claimed that the standard punishment which would otherwise apply to Aleksandar Mitrović for the sending off offence of violent conduct that he committed towards the match referee is clearly insufficient.
“In addition, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s behaviour and/or language was allegedly improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening following his dismissal.”
Regarding Silva, the FA spokesperson added: “It’s alleged that Marco Silva used abusive and/or insulting words and/or gestures and/or behaviour towards the match referee.
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“That he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official prior to his dismissal. “And that he also used abusive and/or insulting words and/or gestures and/or behaviour towards the fourth official after being sent off.
“It’s further alleged that in throwing a water bottle in the direction of the assistant referee his behaviour was improper.”
Silva has already served one touchline ban, missing the FA Cup win over Sunderland after picking up a fourth managerial yellow card of the season in the goalless draw with Chelsea.
It means a minimum two-match ban but the fact that he has been hit with FOUR separate charges will almost certainly lead to a significantly greater punishment.
And Fulham as a club, charged with “failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion” can expect a significant fine.
Charging Mitrovic, Silva and Fulham could speed up the timetable as a touchline ban for the manager will have to be imposed for the club’s next game, although the Mitrovic case could be decided by a separate commission after the international break.
In any event, Mitrovic is automatically banned until Fulham’s home game with Leeds on April 22, allowing plenty of time for a commission to hear the case before the suspension is completed.
But Kavanagh’s report, combined with the FA’s public stance against misbehaviour towards referees at grass roots level and the feeling that what happens in the Premier League is often replicated on park pitches, suggests a double-figure match ban is more than possible.
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The most famous Prem example of footballers behaving badly came at Hillsborough in 1998.
Firebrand Paolo Di Canio, wound up by an altercation with Martin Keown and sent off for his reaction, lost it after being shown a red card by Paul Alcock.
In an astonishing scene still recalled 25 years later, the Italian pushed the referee backwards, with Alcock, floundering desperately to keep his feet, eventually tumbling over.
It was an almost comedic moment yet there was no laughter at the FA, who rightly handed Di Canio an 11-match ban.
A still hurt Alcock described him as “the Italian” shortly before his death aged 64 in 2018.
That benchmark will be in the heads of many when the Mitrovic punishment is being discussed, even if Sunday’s incident was not in that same category.
Di Canio was not the first to lose it and shove an official, even if he remains the most memorable.
Pauli Di Canio received an 11-match ban in 1998 for shoving ref Paul AlcockCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
Former Southampton ace David Prutton was banned for ten matches in 2005 for shoving referee Alan WileyCredit: GETTY
Seven seasons earlier, Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair saw his loan spell at West Brom cut short when he received a ten-match suspension for a clash with Alcock.
Sinclair ran into the referee after he awarded a penalty against the Baggies and accidentally clashed heads.
He immediately showed contrition but it could not prevent the lengthy suspension.
And if the FA believed the punishment for Di Canio would prevent a recurrence they were proved wrong seven years later.
This time it was Southampton midfielder David Prutton, now a Sky Sports presenter, who completely lost control after being given a second yellow card in a game against Arsenal.
Prutton remonstrated with the assistant referee and then manhandled ref Alan Wiley as the official attempted to intervene, adding a verbal volley to his crime sheet as he was escorted from the pitch by Saints boss Harry Redknapp.
Despite apologies, Prutton was banned for ten games the next day, although he was only fined £6,000.
Despite plenty of situations in which players have surrounded referees since, there have been no really similar incidents in the Prem.
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Many thought Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes should have been punished this month when he turned and pushed assistant referee Adam Nunn during the 7-0 mauling at Anfield.
Yet on that occasion, both the referees’ organisation, PGMOL, and the FA agreed the incident had been caused by the actions of the assistant, and the Portugal star had reacted to his perceived assailant, rather than deliberately showing disrespect and assaulting the official. More