The Football Association have warned Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic that the standard punishment for a straight red card would be ‘clearly insufficient’ in response to his push on referee Chris Kavanagh.
Mitrovic was given his marching orders for putting his hands on Kavanagh during Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United, in which both Willian and Marco Silva were also shown red cards.
A straight red card usually brings an automatic three-match ban but the FA have made it clear that they are pursuing further punishment for Mitrovic.
“The standard punishment which would otherwise apply to Aleksandar Mitrovic for the sending-off offence of violent conduct that he committed towards the match referee is clearly insufficient,” the FA said in a statement.
“In addition, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s behaviour and/or language was allegedly improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening following his dismissal.”
Former Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham striker Paolo di Canio received an 11-game ban for pushing an official during a Premier League game in 1998 and there have been plenty of calls for Mitrovic to receive a similar suspension.
Any such ban would be huge for Fulham, whose season has just 11 games left to run.
Manager Silva is also facing a touchline ban after being charged for allegedly throwing a water bottle towards another official.
“It’s alleged that Marco Silva used abusive and/or insulting words and/or gestures and/or behaviour towards the match referee; 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 that his behaviour was improper.”