Fulham head coach Marco Silva has, late on Sunday, made his frustration with referee Chris Kavanagh very much known.
Silva’s Fulham, of course, took their place front and centre in the English media headlines earlier this evening.
This came upon the Cottagers making the trip to Old Trafford, eyeing an upset to book their spot in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
When all was said and done, such efforts ultimately came up short, en route to a 3-1 defeat.
But this only came owing to a remarkable late turnaround, kicked into gear by a single moment a little over fifteen minutes from time.
After a VAR review culminated in Manchester United being afforded a deserved penalty for a Willian hand ball on the goal-line, the Brazilian’s ensuing dismissal was followed by not only the aforementioned Silva, but hitman Aleksandar Mitrovic being given their marching orders, too.
ABSOLUTE SCENES AT OLD TRAFFORD!! 😳
Tempers are flaring as Fulham go from 1-0 up to conceding a penalty and going down to 9-men… 🤯#ITVFootball | @EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/6vWTYNgRGT
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 19, 2023
The sequence, as a whole, has since sparked widespread discussion, as fans, pundits and neutrals alike all continue to provide their respective takes on what marked one of the most chaotic fixtures of the season to date.
One individual, however, who appears to be in no two minds when it comes to the man to blame for Fulham’s eventual defeat, is head coach Marco Silva.
Speaking to the media on the back of a heartbreaking cup exit for his side, tactician Silva pulled absolutely no punches, in taking aim at referee Chris Kavanagh in ruthless fashion:
“I know our story with Chris Kavanagh this season has been tough for us as a football club. I know as well the referee, we had that West Ham game away from home when we lost with two clear handball goals. We lost the game and it was Chris Kavanagh in that moment.
“There were two moments in the box [on Sunday], in their box, that Mitro was involved, no one checked, no one cared about the situation. And that’s it. Unfortunately for us we have been very unlucky with Chris Kavanagh this season, many moments. It is difficult to understand some of the decisions.
“If I got the red card for being out of my area and that is the reason for the referee to give me a red card, I have to accept it. Of course I said something in that moment to him. That was not something for him to give me a red card.”
Finally, on the prospect of a lengthy incoming ban for star hitman Mitrovic, Silva added:
“I spoke with Mitro, it is a moment for him to control the emotions. He pushed the referee, but I did not see that in so bad bad way like you are saying. I hope the people who are going to decide [do so] with fairness.”
Marco Silva blames referee as Fulham lose their heads in Manchester United implosion@RichJollyhttps://t.co/LmW9kDUYfs
— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) March 19, 2023
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