Fulham manager Marco Silva has been handed a one-match ban for comments directed at match official John Brooks. Brooks was the VAR for Fulham's 1-0 defeat to West Ham in March. Silva was also fined £90,000.
Fulham manager Marco Silva has been handed a one-match touchline ban after comments he made towards John Brooks.
Silva called Brooks’ decisions in the 1-0 home defeat to West Ham “of a very low level” and added “it has been the story of the season” with the referee when involved with Fulham matches.
The Portuguese manager told BBC’s Match of The Day following the West Ham loss on March 4: "The referee's decisions were at a very low level in my opinion.
”It has been a little bit the story of our season when John Brooks has been involved with us.
"Even our penalty [shout], I repeat again that John Brooks took and decided against the on-field decision.
“It's very difficult to understand these mistakes against ourselves, but it is what it is.”
Silva’s ban has been temporarily postponed, with the right to appeal, meaning he is able to be in the dugout for the match against Liverpool on Saturday.
The Independent Regulatory Commission handed Silva a one-match touchline ban and a further £90,000 fine for the comments he made.
With just seven matches left in the season, Silva is set to be banned from one of those unless he or Fulham submit an appeal and the decision is overturned.
The Cottagers finally return to action after three weeks away against Liverpool at Anfield.
Fulham have been handed the extra carrot of eighth place meaning European football, ensuring every match matters.
In such a busy period, having Silva on the touchline is far from ideal, especially if his ban occurs during the match against Brentford, arguably the biggest match of the entire season.
Brentford are currently seventh in the league, which is now a Europa League spot.
The gap between the two sides is just two points before they go head-to-head at the Gtech Stadium on April 18.
Marco Silva is set to miss a match on the touchline following his ban.Fulham are also in action against Aston Villa, Arsenal, Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle in their five other matches this season.
The FA released a statement which read: “It was alleged that the head coach acted in an improper manner by making comments in a post-match interview that imply bias and/or question integrity and/or are personally offensive in relation to a match official.
“Marco Silva subsequently admitted the charge against him.
“The Regulatory Commission imposed a one-match touchline suspension and £90,000 fine after a hearing, and its written reasons can be seen below.
“The head coach’s suspension has been paused pending an appeal, so he’s available to be on the touchline this weekend, and an official update will be provided in due course.”