Aleksandar Mitrovic speaks for first time following shameful scenes that saw him sent off for barging into referee
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.
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.”
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.”
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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“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.”