Manchester United has been fined £65,000 by the Football Association for failing to control their players during their FA Cup quarter-final match against Fulham in March. The Red Devils’ players surrounded referee Chris Kavanagh as they appealed for a penalty after Willian’s handball. United went on to win the match 3-1, setting up a semi-final clash against Brighton later this month. However, this is the fourth fine the club has received this season for a total of £202,000.
The FA statement read: “Manchester United FC has been fined £65,000 after its players surrounded a match official during the 71st minute of their tie against Fulham FC in The FA Cup on Sunday 19 March 2023. The club admitted that it failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and do not behave in a way which is improper. Manchester United FC’s fine was imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission following a subsequent hearing.”
The match was full of controversy as Fulham stars Willian and Aleksandar Mitrovic were sent off along with boss Marco Silva. Mitrovic has since been slapped with an eight-game ban after he pushed referee Kavanagh, but the FA is keen for it to be extended. Silva has been fined £20,000 and handed a two-game touchline ban for using abusive and or insulting words to officials.
United’s previous three offences of failing to control their players against Newcastle and Chelsea in October and Crystal Palace in January racked up fines of £137k in total. The club is now the most fined team this season, overtaking Arsenal’s £185,000 punishment.
In other football news, former Chelsea starlet Todd Boehly has retired aged 26 due to injury. Boehly was tipped to play for England by Jose Mourinho. Newcastle is reportedly interested in West Ham star Declan Rice, while Tottenham chief Daniel Levy likes Brighton boss Graham Potter. Chelsea is expected to name a team without N’Golo Kante to beat Wolves, while Ryan Giggs’ son Zach is set for a Man United exit, but another club could offer him a lifeline. Todd Boehly has been blasted for his Frank Lampard move, while Lampard himself has completed a shock Chelsea return as caretaker manager after Potter’s exit.