Man Utd midfielder Bruno Fernandes is facing scrutiny again after the FA banned Aleksandar Mitrovic for eight games.
Bruno Fernandes is facing a new wave of scrutiny for his nudge on the linesman during Manchester United’s 7-0 defeat at Liverpool. Aleksandar Mitrovic will serve an eight-game ban for his conduct towards referee Chris Kavanagh, which many believe has emphasised how lucky Fernandes was to get off scot-free.
The FA has also fined Mitrovic £75,000 for pushing and shouting in Kavanagh’s face during Fulham’s FA Cup capitulation at Old Trafford.
The Serbian striker’s punishment means he will miss all but three of Fulham’s remaining fixtures this season, potentially ending their hopes of European qualification.
And many believe the decision is harsh, considering Fernandes went unsanctioned for nudging a linesman out of his path at Anfield in March.
Fernandes’ actions were investigated after full-time, but his conduct wasn’t deemed improper, saving United from further disaster.
He was widely criticised for his behaviour at the time, and Mitrovic’s suspension has prompted scrutiny to re-emerge.
@Jimlfc1992 tweeted: “Mitrovic being banned for eight games for doing the same thing Bruno Fernandes does every week is disgusting, to be fair.”
@malbronej wrote: “Where’s your consistency when it comes to the application of rules? Bruno Fernandes pushed the assistant referee and insulted him, yet he never got a yellow card. Mitrovic does something similar, and he gets an eight-match ban.”
@Greg_P_C added: “Don’t excuse what Mitrovic did in the slightest, but maybe if the FA had dealt with Bruno Fernandes pushing an assistant referee just a week earlier, it wouldn’t have got to this point.”
@GoksTalks ranted: “Mitrovic handed an eight-game ban while Bruno Fernandes is laughing at his luck during the Liverpool game. #DoubleStandards.”
@jordanhiggins93 bemoaned: “I’m sorry, but this is b******s. Fernandes gets away with pushing a match official, but Mitrovic gets a big ban.”
The FA has also charged Fulham manager Marco Silva, handing him a two-game touchline ban and a fine of his own.
Although Fernandes’ altercation with an official was far less intense than Mitrovic’s, there remains a sense that the differing outcomes were unjust.
Source: express.co.uk
