By Keith Hackett

22nd Mar, 2023 | 5:31pm

Ex-Fifa official backs extended Bruno Fernandes ban after Man United controversy twist - 'this has escalated'

Keith Hackett has claimed the FA have allowed disrespect for referees to “escalate” after refusing to punish Man United star Bruno Fernandes for his push on linesman Adam Nunn earlier this month (5 March).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed a ban was the correct punishment for the 28-year-old – even if only “for a game or two”.

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off during the 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final loss against Man United on Sunday (19 March) for manhandling the referee after Willian was dismissed for a goal-line handball.

Mitrovic was subsequently been charged by the FA – who released a statement confirming that a standard punishment will be “clearly insufficient”.

Cottagers boss Marco Silva was also sent off during the match after verbally abusing the officials and throwing a water bottle in the direction of Chris Kavanagh’s assistant.

However, Fernandes escaped a ban for his conduct after his incident was included in the referee’s match report.

Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “The FA set the wrong tone by refusing to punish Fernandes two weeks ago. This has now escalated things.

“There wasn’t the venom we saw with Mitrovic, but it set the example that it’s ok to lay your hands on a match official.

“Therefore, it should have been reviewed, it should have been looked at – whatever the punishment was.

“If Fernandes would have been banned, even for a game or two – then it would have sent the right message.

“Instead, just a couple of weeks down the road we’re looking at a much worse incident because it’s been allowed to escalate.”

In other news, Football Insider updates as Chelsea rival Man United for Brighton star.