Bruno Fernandes: Fans Question Aleksandar Mitrovic Red Card, Compare It to Manchester United vs Liverpool Game

Bruno Fernandes: Fans Question Aleksandar Mitrovic Red Card, Compare It to Manchester United vs Liverpool Game

Martin Moses
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM
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  • Rules enforcing by match officials has once again come into question after a chaotic FA Cup quarter-final
  • Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic was among those shown red cards after he shoved centre referee Chris Kavanagh
  • Man United's Bruno Fernandes escaped punishment a few weeks back for a similar offence versus Liverpool

Aleksandar Mitrovic's red card against Manchester United has divided opinion after the striker was given his marching orders for barging into the referee.

The Serbian was one of the three Fulham members to be sent off in crazy 60 seconds of action at Old Trafford on March 19.

Bruno Fernandes, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham, Manchetser United
Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic leaves the pitch after being sent off during the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final match at Old Trafford on March 19, 2023. Photo by Martin Rickett.
Source: Getty Images

Fulham were instantly reduced to nine players during their FA Cup quarter-final match against Manchester United. The whole melee started when Willian handled the ball in the penalty area.

Upon a VAR review, Chris Kavanagh sent off the Brazilian. Head coach, Marco Silva was also dismissed, followed by Mitrovic, who angrily shoved the official.

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What did Fernandes do?

While not many people will argue the validity of the red cards, many will question the lack of consistency in officiating in a league widely considered to be the best in the world.

Bruno Fernandes was involved in a similar case on March 5, with the United skipper pushing a linesman after he disagreed with his decision during their 7-0 humbling at Liverpool.

Luckily for the Portuguese midfielder, no action was taken against him - not even a caution. The similarity of the two cases and the difference in punishments has irked fans online.

They have now called for higher standards to be implemented in the game.

Fans react to Mitrovic red

@SamuelLFC said:

"Crazy thing about Mitrovic's red card is that Bruno Fernandes would’ve been suspended if he got the same decision against us, which he didn’t and scored. The standard of officiating in the PL is a joke."

@Biggies Malls said:

"Just seen the Mitrovic red card. Pretty sure Bruno Fernandes got away with doing the exact same thing a couple of weeks ago."

@UGLawyer said:

"Alexander Mitrovic is sent off for the same exact thing Bruno Fernandes did to a linesman at Anfield. Different rules for different teams."

The FA could take further action against Mitrovic if they wish to do so. The 28-year-old did not help his case as he took quite some time before leaving the field of play.

The red cards immediately dampened Fulham's mood, with Man United completing the comeback to progress to the semi-finals.

FA Cup semi-final draw

Sports Brief had earlier reported on Man City and Man United avoiding each other in the next round following the FA Cup semi-final draw on Sunday.

The Citizens are scheduled to face Sheffield United in the last four with the Red Devils set to battle Premier League side, Brighton and Hove Albion.

Sheffield made it to the last four after they stunned Blackburn Rovers 3-2 in the quarters, with Tommy Doyle scoring a stoppage-time winner.

Authors
Martin Moses photo
Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)