Chris Kavanagh will take charge of Fulham’s home game against Manchester United – two years after he sent off Willian, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Marco Silva in the space of ninety seconds in an FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford.
The Whites were leading 1-0 when Kavanagh, who himself hails from Greater Manchester, was sent to the pitchside TV monitor and reversed his non-penalty award after the VAR adjudged that Willian had blocked Jadon Sancho’s shot with his hand. He then red-carded Mitrovic after the Serbian striker pushed the match official – an offence which led to a ten-game ban – and Silva for his angry protestations on the touchline. United converted the penalty and went on to win 3-1.
Interviewed after the game, Silva said:
I know our story with Chris Kavanagh this season has been tough for us as a football club. I know as well the referee, we had that West Ham game away from home when we lost with two clear handball goals. We lost the game and it was Chris Kavanagh in that moment.
There were two moments in the box, in their box, that Mitro was involved, no one checked, no one cared about the situation. And that’s it. Unfortunately for us we have been very unlucky with Chris Kavanagh this season, many moments. It is difficult to understand some of the decisions.
If I got the red card for being out of my area and that is the reason for the referee to give me a red card, I have to accept it. Of course I said something in that moment to him. That was not something for him to give me a red card.”
Kavanagh gave two dubious goals as West Ham United came back from a goal down to beat Fulham at the London Stadium in 2022 and awarded Ched Evans’ handled equaliser at Preston North End during Silva’s first season in charge. He awarded a controversial penalty for handball against James Tarkowski as Leeds United beat Everton 1-0 last night in his first top-flight game of the season.
Kavanagh’s assistant referees on Sunday will be Dan Cook and Neil Davies. Rob Jones will serve as the fourth official. Darren England will be the video assistant referee, assisted by Akil Howson.
It’s time for a referee rematch!
Kavanagh is a lousy referee who has made some appalling decisions against Fulham in a number of games which negatively affected our results. Appointing him as referee for this match shows crass insensitivity by the FA. Disgraceful.
Beggars belief. Like they are trying to provide controversy. Who makes these decisions? Is it stupidity or deliberate malice? Any other referee would at least avoid the legacy which is the powder keg.
imagine wenger or fergie letting this happen. FA dont care about the ‘smaller’ clubs
If Kavanagh makes a bad decision against us and he will VAR must back Fulham up if it’s blatant you can definitely put your house on Man Utd getting all the free kicks
Fulham have also got to start saying to the FA about incompetent refs and Kavanagh is definitely one of them
Darren England on VAR is awful as well, means Kavanagh will not be called out
This is insane!! Kavanagh clearly does not like Fulham. Further, as a Manchester man he should not be in charge of ANY game whare a Manchester club is playing! End of!!!!
I remember Referee Jeff Winter who is from Middlesbrough saying he was not allowed to ref his Sons game on a Sunday morning because of Bias The FA know where kavaagh comes from hoping ManUtd will get all the decisions and Fulham get none
Also does anyone know if refs still get marks By an assessor I know Sunday League kids football refs get marks
Ie interpretation of rules, appearance ,common sense keeping the match flowing etc so does this happen all the way to the top or does it
Let’s give him the reception he desrves to take back to Manchester with him
Well out of order, looks like blatant cheating by the powers that be. How do FA get away with it who do they answer to, never mind all is other mistakes just that he comes from Manchester he should never ref this game . I love Fulham but FA and FIFA are putting me of the game