Marco Silva fumes as Crystal Palace star escapes red card in FA Cup clash
Fulham were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Adam Wharton lucky to escape a red card for a kick out at Rodrigo Muniz in the first half
Fulham manager Marco Silva was absolutely livid after Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton dodged what seemed to be a pivotal red card in their FA Cup quarter-final clash.
Wharton, already on a yellow, flicked out his boot and connected with Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz during the first half at Craven Cottage. Ref Darren England didn't deem the foul worthy of a second caution, and VAR didn't prompt a review.
With Wharton remaining on the field, Palace took control, with Eberechi Eze brilliantly putting Oliver Glasner's team ahead before setting up Ismaila Sarr for their second goal. Eddie Nketiah came off the bench to seal the 3-0 victory later on.
The incident involving Wharton sparked debate among commentators, with ex-Fulham goalie Mark Schwarzer remarking on BBC Radio Five Live: "I think Wharton has lashed out a little bit there.
"He clearly kicks out at him. It seems a petulant swing and I think that is the only reason he has got away with that. I think he is very fortunate that they haven't taken it any further.", reports the Mirror.
Over on ITV, former Crystal Palace star Ian Wright weighed in: "It is risky. I think he is very fortunate that the laws are so complicated. [VAR] can't look at that for some reason.
"You could probably get booked for that. He is very fortunate to get away with that because he has kicked out at him. It's not violent conduct but he's clipped him."
Fulham's manager Silva expressed his belief that the decision drastically altered the game, telling ITV: "For me it is clear, it's a second yellow card but we are used to these kind of situations.
"I prefer to say we are unlucky but it has been a long story with us. Of course VAR cannot overturn this decision but you have many eyes inside the pitch, the linesman has all the angles to see it, the fourth official.
"It is a clear second yellow card, definitely. It would have a massive impact on the game but against us it is always more difficult to see. We have been unlucky in these type of situations and let's hope it will be balanced at the end of the season."
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