Aleksandar Mitrovic's sacking during the match against Manchester United came to light on social media after fans compared it to Bruno Fernandes' antics against Liverpool.
The 28-year-old Fulham forward gave his side a second-half lead in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against United at Old Trafford.
However, Fulham suffered a massive breakdown late in the second half after referee Chris Kavanagh showed three red cards in less than a minute.
Willian was sent off after VAR checks showed he blocked Jadon Sancho's shot with his hand before Mitrovic was sent off by Kavanagh.
Mitrovic was discovered storming the referee during a heated confrontation, when Fulham coach Marco Silva was also shown a red card by Kavanagh. United reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup after a 3-1 win over Fulham, Fernandes scored a brace and Marcel Sabitzer put his name on the scoreboard.
However, the Reds' victory was somewhat overshadowed by the chaotic scenes at Old Trafford, including Mitrovic's behavior towards Kavanagh.
While Mitrovic was criticized on social media, others were quick to point out the double standard of Fernandes' past actions.
Fernandes was heavily criticized for his antics during United's humiliating 7-0 loss to Liverpool, notably when he pushed the assistant referee.
Former Aston Villa striker Darren Bent harshly criticized the double standard and drew comparisons between the 'inconsistent' and 'shameful' decisions. Bruno got nothing for shoving the referee but Mitrovic got a direct red card for hitting the umpire, inconsistent VAR confused everyone
"Bruno got nothing for shoving the line umpire [vs Liverpool] but Mitrovic got a direct red card for hitting the referee, inconsistent VAR [sic]," he wrote on Twitter.
Bent isn't the only one with his hot views, and other fans on social media shared similar sentiments with talkSPORT pundit during the Mitrovic vs Fernandes debate.
One Twitter user wrote:
“Mitrovic is ridiculous there. But his push into the referee was no less than that of Bruno Fernandes to the lineman last week. Where is the consistency?
Another person tweeted:
“Mitrovic has a light red color. He couldn't push the referee but Bruno did it at Anfield and was not punished.
“I just saw Mitrovic's red card. I'm pretty sure Bruno Fernandes did the same thing a few weeks ago," said a third.
Another fan said:
"The crazy thing about Mitrovic's red card is that Bruno Fernandes would be suspended if he made the same decision against us, which he didn't and scored. The standard of refereeing in PL is one thing. prank.
While a fifth commented:
Thank the referee for sending off Mitrovic. It's a shame to lay hands on a civil servant. Bruno Fernandes should have received the same punishment for shoving the lineman against Liverpool a few weeks ago.
And one fan added:
"Mitrovic is stupid - you can't push a referee (unless you're Bruno Fernandes)."
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