The Football Association have lost their appeal over the suspensions imposed by an independent regulatory board on Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic and head coach Marco Silva following the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United last month.

The FA had appealed the eight-match ban handed to Mitrovic after he was sent off for confronting referee Chris Kavanagh at Old Trafford and two-match touchline suspension Silva received for his own red card. An independent appeal board rejected the FA’s appeal, which means that the Fulham head coach will be in the dugout for tomorrow’s game against Leeds United at Craven Cottage. Mitrovic will return at Southampton in May.

A Fulham statement this evening concluded:

“The Club is surprised that the FA decided to bring these appeals, however we are pleased that the Appeal Board has now dismissed them in their entirety.  The Appeal Board’s full written reasons will be published on the FA website in due course.  In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming Marco and Aleksandar back where they belong.”