Fulham manager Marco Silva and striker Aleksandar Mitrovic have issued a joint statement admitting improper conduct in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United over a week ago.
The Cottagers got themselves into a great position to secure an FA Cup semi-final berth after Mitrovic broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half.
However, with 20 minutes of normal time left to play, Willian was sent off for a professional handball offence that thwarted Jadon Sancho’s goal-bound effort, which triggered Fulham’s untimely capitulation.
Chaos followed as Kavanagh also sent off an enraged Silva for lashing out at the match officials in protest to Willian’s dismissal.
The Londoners then lost their manager and two players in quick succession after Mitrovic lost his head and shoved Kavanagh, who did not hesitate to hand the Serbian his marching orders.
Fulham eventually succumbed to a 3-1 defeat, ending any hopes of finishing an already impressive season with a piece of silverware.
Both Silva and Mitrovic have now acknowledged wrongdoings and have issued an apology for their unsportsmanlike behaviour during the game.
“Emotions were high at Old Trafford and, as I said in my press conference after the game, I should have controlled my own emotions better,” Silva said via the club’s website.
“I regret what happened, and I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise. He knows that I respect him and the job he has to do.”
Mitrovic added: “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.
“I have accepted the three-match ban for my red card, spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise, and volunteered to accept a club fine.
“I now want to do what I can to put this incident behind me and get back to helping my teammates on the pitch as soon as possible.”
The statement from the Fulham duo comes after the Football Association (FA) announced that both parties would face extra charges for their behaviour.
There have already been calls for Mitrovic to be banned for the rest of the campaign, but it remains to be seen what the FA’s verdict will be.
