Paul Field, president of the Referees’ Association, told the BBC that Aleksandar Mitrovic should receive a longer suspension than Paolo Di Cani for pushing the referee away – and even serve a community service sentence.
“I hope it’s more than 10 games,” Field said, adding that he hoped the FA would hand the Serb a punishment similar to that given to Eric Cantona in 1995 when he was banned for nine months for an altercation with a fan.
“At the amateur level, a player would get a one-year ban – why doesn’t that apply at the professional level as well?” Remember what Eric Cantona did almost 30 years ago and got nine months. I think they should pay the same attention to this incident,” said Field.
The standard punishment for violent behavior is a three-game suspension, but this can be extended, depending on the severity of the incident.
So Paolo di Canio, a former Sheffield player, was suspended for 11 games in 1998 because he pushed referee Paul Alcock away during a match with Arsenal.
“The standard punishment that would normally apply to Aleksandar Mitrović is obviously insufficient.” In addition, the behavior and/or language of Aleksandar Mitrovic was allegedly inappropriate and/or offensive and/or threatening following his dismissal,” the FA statement said.
“The standard punishment that would normally apply to Aleksandar Mitrović is obviously insufficient.” In addition, the behavior and/or language of Aleksandar Mitrović was allegedly inappropriate and/or offensive and/or threatening following his dismissal,” the FA statement said.
