Figures inside the FA and beyond are calling for Aleksandar Mitrovic to receive a lengthy match ban of potentially 10 games or more following his conduct in the Manchester United game on Sunday.
Man United progressed to their second semi-final of the season with a 3-1 win over Fulham at the weekend, however, the win didn’t come without controversy as the home side were awarded a tide-turning penalty which the visitors didn’t take too kindly to.
After winger Willian saw a straight red card for handball, blocking the shot of Jadon Sancho‘s goal-bound shot, tensions were already rising before Mitrovic’s protests saw things reach boiling point and dissent quickly spiralled into the Serbian raising his hands to referee Chris Kavanagh.
The decision that came after was of little surprise.
▪️ Handball by Willian on the goalline ▪️ VAR intervene, penalty given, Marco Silva shown red ▪️ Mitrovic sent off for confronting referee ▪️ Willian sent off ▪️ Fernandes equalises ▪️ Sabitzer puts #MUFC ahead
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2023
As you can see, the chaos that ensued after saw players running the length of the pitch either to back up their teammates or try and help diffuse the situation, not to mention substitutes and coaching staff getting involved.
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Everyone else was lucky to walk away without a suspension of their own but as for Mitro himself, both refs and ex-pros are recommending that Fulham forward receive a ‘lengthy ban’, with the likes of Chris Sutton insisting, “He saw the red mist. That’s no excuse, you do not lay your hands on an official. In my opinion, the player should get a 10-match ban”.
Sutton went on to suggest that scenes like “impact further down the chain at grassroots level. There will be kids watching the game today who think, well if Mitrovic can do it, so can I.”
But it wasn’t just the pundits who thought a hefty penalty should be incurred, as former referees’ chief Keith Hackett echoed his statement; current head of the Referees’ Association, Paul Field, said “I hope it’s more than 10 games”, with Paolo di Canio’s 11-match ban for shoving Paul Alcock in 1998 cited.
Grassroots ref Simon King said, “I was stunned. The stalking and intimidation, having to be forcibly dragged away… It’s quite frightening that happens at the top level.”
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As for manager Marco Silva — who is also being investigated for his own misconduct during the match — he told reporters after the game that he saw the altercation and will speak to Mitrovic over “control his emotion”, but is urging “fairness” from the FA.
Silva said he was sent off for leaving his technical area and verbal abuse while Kavanagh went to view the VAR replay during the penalty, but he is also alleged to have thrown a water bottle at the assistant referee during the commotion.
The Portuguese coach went on to state that his club have had difficulty with this particular ref all year, arguing that they have been “unlucky with him this season” and “it is difficult to understand some of the decisions”, alluding to their own handball shouts against West Ham in the Premier League.
Should Mitrovic serve a 10-match ban or more, or is the whole thing being blown out of proportion?
You can watch the highlights of Manchester United vs Fulham in full down below:
Featured Image — Manchester United/Fulham FC (via Twitter) ITV Sport (via YouTube)
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Antoine Semenyo has officially joined Manchester City
Danny Jones
Yes, Man City have got their man and further bolstered their offensive options, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo having officially joined the club.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, MCFC have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
Finally unveiled by club media on Friday, 9 January, Semenyo was pictured for the first time in the sky blue strip.
It was long after that the first reports of the deal being ‘agreed in principle” surfaced online, and it became clear that no other suitors stood a chance of snatching him away from the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses were likely to set a rough club record fee in terms of player sales.
Penning a five-and-a-half-year deal, the 26-year-old’s contract will take him through to at least 2031, with the London-born Ghanaian international still yet to hit his peak.
Frightening stuff for Premier League defenders, to say the least.
Sharing a message with his new fan base via the full club statement, Semenyo said: “I am so proud to have joined Manchester City…
“They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here, and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Watch Semenyo’s first full interview as a Manchester City player.
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
Danny Jones -
21st March 2023 
