Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic offered an unusual excuse to his push on Chris Kavanagh which saw him sent off and later charged by the FA.
The Serbia international saw red in what was a minute of complete capitulation from Fulham, who were in control over Manchester United in their FA Cup quarter-final earlier this month.
Mitrovic shoved Kavanagh after the referee sent off Willian for a clear handball which eventually led to United’s 3-1 comeback. The forward was then duly dismissed alongside manager Marco Silva, who had some choice words of his own for the official.
Both players and manager have since been charged by the Football Association, and even in his apologising statement Mitrovic tried to offer an obscure justification for his actions. “On a personal level, I regret my actions that led to me being sent off. I allowed my frustration to get the better of me, and how I reacted was wrong,” Mitrovic began.
“I was trying to get the referee’s attention,” the statement continued, “but I appreciate that I should not have put my hands on him and I understand why he showed me a red card. I have 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.”
