Aleksandar Mitrović and Marco Silva have apologised for red card incidents v Manchester United | OneFootball

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović and head coach Marco Silva have both apologised following their straight red cards in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United earlier this month.

The Fulham duo have apologised to referee Chris Kavanagh who officiated the heated clash at Old Trafford and Silva will now serve a one-game touchline ban.

Mitrović on the other hand has been fined by Fulham and could be set for a lengthy suspension for pushing Kavanagh. The Football Association believe a standard three-match suspension is insufficient for Mitrović’s actions on March 19.

The 28-year-old released a statement on Wednesday which read:

“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 was trying to get the referee’s attention, but I appreciate that I should not have put my hands on him and I understand why he showed me a red card, my first in-game sending off for Fulham and my first since the 2015-16 season.

“I have accepted the three-match ban for my red card, I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise, and I have 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 team-mates on the pitch as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, I would like to reiterate my regret that this happened. I have already said sorry to my team-mates, but I would also like to apologise to the Fulham fans, particularly those who travelled to Old Trafford to support us and who did not stop singing all game. I hope to be back soon and repay their faith and support.”

Silva added: “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. It was a very difficult moment, in a match that we had dominated, but I could have handled the situation better.

“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. Unfortunately, we did not see eye-to-eye on the day, but I recognise that he is one of the top referees in this country and I know that, when our paths cross again, there will be mutual respect between us.

“I am sorry that I was not on the pitch to try to lead the team to what could have been an historic FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but I am thankful for all the support I have received from Fulham fans over the last few days.”

Mark Marston | Get Football