Aleksandar Mitrovi, a striker for Fulham FC, was given an eight-game suspension by the English Football Association (FA) on Tuesday for assaulting referee Chris Kavanagh during the team's FA Cup loss to Manchester United.
After the 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford last month that resulted in two players and the manager receiving red cards, the club, Mitrovi, and manager Marco Silva were all given sanctions.
Despite Mitrovi's denial of the charge, an Independent Regulatory Commission reportedly sentenced him to a three-match suspension for violent behaviour.
In addition to the three-match suspension he already had for the red card violation, this punishment was also implemented.
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The Regulatory Commission issued an additional two-match suspension and a £75,000 fine [about Ksh.12.5 million] on the forward after he "separately admitted that his behavior and language after being sent off was improper, abusive, insulting and threatening," the FA stated.
"The Regulatory Commission has benched Aleksandar Mitrovi for eight games. The forward won't be eligible for Fulham FC's next seven games because one of these has already been served, the FA stated.
According to the FA, Silva received a "two-tournament touchline suspension plus a £20,000 [roughly $25,000] fine" from the Independent Regulatory Commission. Silva "admit[ted] that he behaved in an unpleasant and derogatory manner against the match referee."
Mitrovi is only one of several football players suspended after getting into trouble with the law: Luis Suárez, who famously earned a 10-match suspension for biting Branislav Ivanovi of Chelsea in 2013, is another.
In 1998, Paolo Di Canio of Sheffield Wednesday received an 11-match suspension for pushing a referee to the ground.
"I regret what I did,"
After contacting Fulham on Wednesday for a response from Mitrovi and Silva, CNN Sport was given a message from the duo.
On a personal level, I regret the things I did that got me fired, Mitrovi stated.
"I have agreed to a three-match suspension for my red card, apologized to Chris Kavanagh, and offered to take a club fine. I now want to do everything I can to put this incident behind me and return as soon as I can to supporting my colleagues on the field," he continued.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said Barcelona's refereeing issue is "severe."
According to UEFA President Aleksander Eferin, the Barcelona refereeing controversy is among the worst in sport.
Silva responded, "I regret what happened and have apologized to Chris Kavanagh. He knows my esteem for him and the work he must accomplish. Although we did not agree on everything that day, I acknowledge that he is a top referee in this country, and I am confident that we will respect one another if we ever cross paths again.
Fulham outlined the penalties against Mitrovi, Silva, and the club in a statement published on the club's website on Tuesday without making any other remarks.
