Nigel Owens has demanded football must come down hard on Aleksander Mitrovic or face worsening levels of abuse for match officials at all levels of the game.
The Fulham striker is facing a lengthy ban after the Football Association said its standard punishment for his sending off at Manchester United was “clearly insufficient”.
Mitrovic has been charged with violent and improper conduct after a straight red card for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during Sunday’s 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat.
Manager Marco Silva has also been charged with abusive behaviour towards match officials.
“They have to come down hard,” said Owens.
“Rugby has lots of problems, just look at the red card at the weekend, but when situations like this arise we’ve always come down hard,
“Football has all the tools to stamp down on abuse to officials and at the moment it feels like they’ve chosen not to,
“Referee’s need to be given the tools to deal with players on the pitch, if not, nothing will change.”
“I bet if player got marched back 10 yards and a free kick is changed to a penalty players would quickly change their behaviour.”
NIGEL OWENS: MY TOP 5 CAPTAINS
#5. Chris Robshaw (England)
Owens said: Some people will be surprised at this one to start off. His misfortune was perhaps to be leading England during a difficult time, but he always gave everything for the cause, encouraging others to follow suit, and he was a nice guy off the pitch.”
