Aleksandar Mitrovic should get a ten-game ban for his shove on referee Chris Kavanagh, according to former Premier League official Mark Halsey.
Mitrovic was shown an instant red card after he got physical with the official during Fulham's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
The outburst of aggression was triggered by Kavanagh showing Willian a red card for blocking Jadon Sancho's goal-bound shot with his hand, which also led to Fulham manager Marco Silva also seeing red.
Silva admitted after the game that Mitrovic needs to control his emotions better.
The forward will now serve a three game ban for the sending off, but Halsey wrote in his column for The Sun that the ban should be much longer.
'In some ways Silva was to blame for Mitrovic’s action,' Halsey wrote. 'Managers have got to set an example.
'Mitrovic has technically assaulted Kavanagh by shoving his elbow into him and has then gone at the official with a volley of abuse.
'The FA have a duty of care to referees and we cannot have this at any level of football.
'They have to set an example by sanctioning Mitrovic heavily and I would expect both clubs to be charged with failing to control their players.
'Mitrovic should be hit with a ten-game ban for his part in the madness.'
While it is unclear whether the FA will sanction a further ban, Mitrovic won't play for Fulham for over a month with the international break now underway.
It's not the first time a player has put their hand on an official this season, with Bruno Fernandes appearing to push a linesman against Liverpool, though the Manchester United man went unpunished.
Officials have tried to tighten up disciplinary punishments in recent weeks with more players being booked for confronting officials.
Just last month, Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina was sent off for running towards a referee in protest during their 2-1 win away at Southampton.
It appears this pattern will only continue, and banning Mitrovic for longer would be another statement of intent from the governing body.
BayernJosh234
12
It is easy to Kill a chicken which is not yours, while protecting yours for the future. Let learn to be merciful, the young man will learn his lesson.