Fulham’s Mitrovic faces extended ban
LONDON, March 21, (AP): Aleksandar Mitrovic could face an extended ban after his furious reaction to being sent off in Fulham’s loss to Manchester United on Sunday.
The English Football Association said on Monday the standard three-game suspension for a straight red card was “clearly insufficient.”
The Fulham striker reacted angrily when Willian was sent off for handling Jadon Sancho’s goalbound shot in United’s 3-1 win in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Mitrovic then further remonstrated with referee Chris Kavanagh after being shown red himself, charging towards him on the field at Old Trafford.
“The FA has claimed that the standard punishment which would otherwise apply to Aleksandar Mitrović for the sending off offense of violent conduct that he committed towards the match referee is clearly insufficient,” the ruling body said in a statement. “In addition, Aleksandar Mitrović’s behaviour and/ or language was allegedly improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening following his dismissal.”
Fulham manager Marco Silva has also been charged after being sent off for his reaction when Kavanagh reviewed Willian’s handball on the touchline monitor.
Silva is alleged to have used “abusive and/or insulting words and/or gestures and/or behaviour” before and after his dismissal. He is also alleged to have thrown a water bottle in the direction of the assistant referee, which the FA described as improper behavior.
Fulham led 1-0 before going into meltdown when Willian was sent off and United was awarded a penalty, which Bruno Fernandes converted. Marcel Sabitzer fired United in front and Fernandes added a third.
Roy Hodgson is back in the Premier League at the age of 75.
Crystal Palace turned to the former England coach to keep the team in the lucrative top division, announcing his return to the club on Tuesday as the replacement for the fired Patrick Vieira.
Hodgson’s deal only runs until the end of the season. He was in charge of Palace from 2017-21 then said he was retiring from coaching, only to return for a brief spell at Watford at the end of last season.
Palace, which is his boyhood club, is in 12th place in the 20-team league but only three points above the relegation zone after a 12-match winless run.
“It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me, and to be given the important task of turning the team’s fortunes around,” Hodgson, a former Liverpool and Fulham manager, said. “Our sole objective now is to start winning matches, and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status.”