Viewers of the FA Cup meeting between Manchester United and Fulham have flooded to social media on Sunday evening, to reveal their frustrations with the ‘inconsistent’ nature of the officiating at the top level of English football.
For those who may have missed it, Erik ten Hag’s United, a short time ago, booked their spot in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
This came as late goals on the part of Bruno Fernandes (2) and Marcel Sabitzer overturned a surprise deficit, owing to Aleksandar Mitrovic’s opener early in the 2nd-half at Old Trafford.
Sealing the win 💪
See you at Wembley, @ManUtd 🏟#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/nUBr1o8giz
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 19, 2023
And yet, on the back of a chaotic affair in Manchester late on Sunday, it is not the result itself which has taken its place front and centre in the post-match chatter.
Instead, it is the manner in which the hosts’ recovery from a goal down came about.
Fifteen minutes from time, a VAR review culminated in the Red Devils being awarded a deserved spot-kick, for Willian’s hand ball on the goalline.
This, in turn, opened the door for the affair to be turned firmly on its head, as showcased below:
▪️ Handball by Willian on the goalline
▪️ VAR intervene, penalty given, Marco Silva shown red
▪️ Mitrovic sent off for confronting referee
▪️ Willian sent off
▪️ Fernandes equalises
▪️ Sabitzer puts #MUFC aheadA wild few minutes.
🎥 @itvfootball pic.twitter.com/Gd0VLrFYH8
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2023
And, since, it is Mitrovic’s dismissal, in particular, which has given rise to the most widespread discussion online.
This comes as supporters of Manchester United’s rivals question the ‘consistency’ of officiating in the country.
Specifically, a recent incident involving Bruno Fernandes has been highlighted, which saw the midfielder escape without punishment, after putting hands on a linesman during a meeting with Liverpool:
Where was the red card for this?
All we ask for is consistency.
Will we ever get it? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/kj2rjqDNm2
— Barstool Football (@StoolFootball) March 19, 2023
Bruno gets nothing for pushing a linesman but mitrovic gets a straight red for bumping the ref , inconsistent VAR Embarrassing
— Darren Bent (@DarrenBent) March 19, 2023
Mitrovic was ridiculous there 😂
🤔 But his push on the ref was no less than Bruno Fernandes on the linesman the other week
🤷🏼♂️ Where’s the consistency?
— Rory Talks Football (@Rory_Talks_Ball) March 19, 2023
Crazy thing about Mitrovic red card is that Bruno Fernandes would’ve been suspended if he got the same decision against us, which he didn’t and scored.
The standard of officiating in the PL is a joke.
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) March 19, 2023
Mitrovic just got sent off for exactly the same thing 😂 christ I cannot stand Bruno. pic.twitter.com/WmfwrJDTI0
— JKdcfc🕺🏽 (@JKdcfc) March 19, 2023
Just seen the Mitrovic red card. Pretty sure Bruno Fernandes got away with doing the exact same thing a couple of weeks ago.
Howard Webb strikes again…
— Biggies Malls 2.0 (@Biggies_MaIIs) March 19, 2023
So Mitrovic gets sent off for putting his hands on an official, yet Bruno Fernandes done the same thing and gets away with it? Don’t even try to hide their corruption.
— MP (@Gooner_GAWA) March 19, 2023
Manchester born referee Chris Kavanagh issues 3 reds cards to Fulham…
Who are playing a team from Manchester…
Bruno pushes a ref…
No punishment…
Mitrovic pushes a ref…
Red card…
— Shaun (@LfcShaunjudge) March 19, 2023
So what’s the difference between Mitrovic’s push on the ref and Bruno Fernandes’s push on the linesman during their 7-0 battering to Liverpool? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/3na14CtXR1
— Arsenal ❁ (@AFCannon_1886) March 19, 2023
Bruno pushes the ref = no card
Mitrovic pushes the ref = red cardMake it make sense
— 🇧🇪 (@afc_thms) March 19, 2023
So stupid from Mitrovic – you just can’t push an official (unless you’re Bruno Fernandes).
— Liam Corcoran (@LiamCorcoran28) March 19, 2023
Definitely a red for Mitrovic- but Bruno Fernandes did the same thing last week and didn’t even get booked?
Where’s the consistency? One rule for United. One rule for another pic.twitter.com/O7j3Gk5WJ8
— GakpoFC (@GakpoFC) March 19, 2023
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