F.A. Cup 2023 Thread

Mitro making a weapon somewhere.

Yeah, with how compact he kept his arms, all tucked in, i'd kind of rather they gave him the benefit of the doubt and a yellow. But I guess whatever rules/guidelines they're using don't allow for benefit of the doubt anymore.

Referee, Illuminati and the Russians gifting United that third goal too.

Even if Mitrovic didn't actually touch him he was a goner. Squaring up to a ref roaring at him as agressively as he did would have got him sent anyway.

Silva never touched the ref but was sent off for mouthing off.

You are guessing, and guess what, that's all you're doing, guessing. Unless you're Mystic Meg! Totally ridiculous reaction by Silva, but you are in conjecture land there.

I felt sorry for Fulham, as they were the much better team throughout the game, but couldn't finish.

I will say Antony was lucky because first thing he did on the pitch was kick out at Robinson, and he connected.

I'd say Maguire is done. Totally owned by Mitrovic and just seems to want to push players over, even when they're in the corner going nowhere.

These ties mess about with Premier fixtures now. Brighton were supposed to be playing the blue half of Manchester that day, while Man United were hosting Chelsea.

Interesting from Marco Silva.

Referred back to the "penalty" shout where Martinez and Mitrovic came together. Said that he wants to see the referee's report to see what he put in there, as he thought he didn't deserve a red card.

I haven't a clue where the line is drawn between yellow and red.

Roy Keane mentioned their PL campaign is where all the suspensions play out (Bournemouth, West Ham, Everton). They are clear of relegation anyway, but the other teams in the relegation battle will be p***ed off if its a weakened Fulham facing those three.

Seriously?

I think it was all my fault

I'd have thought all the Liverp.....sorry neutrals, would be delighted to finally see officials standing up for themselves after the past few weeks of posts about them being assaulted by players

Mitrovic was a disgrace and I'd be stunned if his ban is less than 5 games considering how aggressive he was and that the bench had to be emptied to pull him away

Could be a City fan, a Bolton fan, a Salford fan... that's as thick as saying a "London referee" would favour Spurs or Arsenal or Chelsea.

Maybe some of them. Others do seem to genuinely struggle with basics so they do need help. I doubt anyone could actually commit to the whole "clueless" act as well as they do so maybe its genuine.

I seem to recall Dermot Gallagher saying that the linesman put his hands on Bruno first, and maybe that is why they were not willing to take the matter further. While you see referees putting their body in the way of two players arguing, I guess it's not appropriate either for an official to manhandle a player, and therefore Bruno got off.

I did raise an eyebrow at the time though. It was more than a tap on the back. It was a bit of a slap out of frustration, and to be honest he was lucky nothing came of it.

Mitrovic was much more aggressive though and continued to hound the ref and there was real menace about him. I'd be surprised if the ban is less than 6 games.

Maybe Mitrovic saw Fernandes put his hands on an official a couple weeks ago, with no retribution taken, and thought it was fare game. We'll never know. But the action of Fernandes putting his hands on an official in a somewhat aggressive manner did happen. it wasn't a friendly tap on the back.

Mitrovic absolutely deserved to be sent off, and receive and a larger ban. No questions about that whatsoever because he was aggressive and continued to abuse the referee after the action. He was out of control.

Mitrovic needs to be made an example of now, before it spirals out of control even more.

Mitro been charged now, so they’re looking at longer than the standard 3 games. They need to set an example obviously that referees can’t be targeted, but I hope they don’t go too far also, given that he didn’t actually assault him really. 5/6 games probably the most likely outcome IMO.

Obviously there needs to be a distinction where its more serious to do something to a referee, but probably worth a mention that he often wouldn't have even got booked for the same thing if he'd done same thing to another player.

I get that it is not the same thing and that referees require extra protection, particularly for what they might face at grassroots level, but sure look, 5 game ban. Keep him out against Villa. Justice done.

It should be more than 10 games, and I am really surprised that people can't see why.

And I have to say, the idea that he should get away lightly because he didn't actually punch the ref is just insane. You have a high profile player in a high profile match stalking the ref like some fat bellied **** acting the hard man on a night out, how the hell can people not see the implications of that? We talk about respect to referees but it is ok to act like that? Bollocks.

Its not about what he did, it is the intent. It is the threat and the aggression towards the one person who cannot afford to have his position diminished.

He needs to be made an example off, a slap on the wrist will do more harm than good so the FA need to hammer the **** out of him and make sure the message is clear.

I will say that it is hilarious to me that his whole posturing hard man act was because of one of the most blatant penalties you will ever see. Of all the things to get banned on the back of he choose that, what a **** moron.

The high precedent of "Don't ever threaten or intimidate a referee"? Why would that be a bad thing?

Besides, 11 matches for pushing a ref is already the precedent.