Preston ahead Milutin Osmajic has been banned for 9 matches after being discovered to have racially abused Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri.
Osmajic was accused of constructing a racist remark throughout Preston and Burnley’s 0-0 draw within the Championship in February by former Manchester United star Hannibal. The ahead ‘strongly refuted’ the allegation and denied the cost.
He was charged the next month, with the FA alleging ‘that the ahead acted in an improper method and/or used abusive and/or insulting phrases in direction of an opposing participant’.
The FA has now issued a verdict, with a Regulatory Fee discovering the cost in opposition to the Montenegrin worldwide to be confirmed and have confirmed he’ll serve a nine-match ban.
‘It was alleged that the ahead had breached FA Rule E3.1 by appearing in an improper method and/or utilizing abusive and/or insulting phrases in direction of a Burnley FC participant throughout their EFL Championship fixture on Saturday 15 February,’ an FA assertion learn.
‘It was additionally alleged that this matter constitutes an “Aggravated Breach”, which is outlined in FA Rule E3.2, because the phrases included a reference – whether or not specific or implied – to color and/or race.
Preston ahead Milutin Osmajic has been banned for 9 matches after a panel dominated he had racially abused Hannibal Mejbri
Hannibal (left) alleged Osmajic made the remark throughout Burnley’s recreation in opposition to Preston in March
‘Milutin Osmajić denied the cost in opposition to him, which the Regulatory Fee discovered to be confirmed, and it has imposed a direct nine-match suspension, £21,000 wonderful and obligatory training course.
‘The Regulatory Fee’s written causes for its selections can be revealed sooner or later.’
Preston have acknowledged it’s ‘extraordinarily disillusioned’ by the choice and vowed to help Osmajic.
‘We’re extraordinarily disillusioned on the choice made by an unbiased regulatory fee to sanction Milutin Osmajić and impose a nine-match suspension, following an incident which occurred in a league fixture in opposition to Burnley on fifteenth February 2025,’ a Preston assertion learn.
‘We notice that the result was decided on the ‘Stability of Chances’ moderately than one that’s ‘Past Cheap Doubt’.
‘We additionally notice that The FA decided that this choice affords no ethical judgement, was not premeditated nor any remark about his common character.
‘Milutin has at all times pleaded his innocence of the cost and continues to take action. We proceed to be absolutely supportive of our participant.
‘We’re happy with our Fairness, Range and Inclusion insurance policies and practices, and we reaffirm our opposition to all types of discrimination.’
There was a post-match assembly with officers, the place Osmajic denied making the remark
Mejbri took to social media to insist he ‘won’t be silent about what occurred’ by way of the ‘disgusting abuse’
The incident occurred throughout a Championship fixture in February with the two gamers exchanging phrases within the 56th minute of the sport.
Mejbri had confronted away from Osmajic till reacting, seemingly to one thing that was mentioned, and issuing a criticism.
Mejbri spoke to the referee, supervisor Scott Parker and different gamers, with the incident famous and a gathering held after the sport. Osmajic denies the declare, Preston have introduced, however Mejbri took to social media to proceed his accusation.
Burnley gamers snubbed shaking palms with Montenegrin Osmajic earlier than their FA Cup fifth-round tie two weeks later. Osmajic scored within the recreation and mocked Burnley followers in his celebration.
‘I cannot be silent about what occurred at present,’ Hannibal wrote on social media after the primary match, wherein the incident occurred, on February 15. ‘I’ll at all times name out racism each time I hear or see it.
‘That’s the solely approach we alter as a sport and a society. I’m a robust individual however no one ought to should expertise this disgusting abuse on the pitch.’
Osmajic ‘has strongly refuted the claims of a remark made in direction of Hannibal Mejbri in a post-match assembly with at present’s match officers’, Preston mentioned on the time.
Earlier than the second recreation, in the meantime, footage confirmed Osmajic holding an outstretched hand to the Clarets beginning eleven, however a handshake was not taken up.
Osmajic mocked Burnley followers when he scored in opposition to them in a recreation between the perimeters two weeks later
Burnley gamers refused to shake his hand earlier than the second recreation between two groups
After being snubbed by the primary couple of Burnley gamers, Osmajic was seen withdrawing his hand and continued to stroll down the road whereas his Preston team-mates shook palms with the Burnley gamers.
Parker revealed post-match that Burnley gamers had been behind the choice to not shake palms with Osmajic and supported their transfer.
Preston would go on to say a shock 3-0 win over Burnley within the all-Championship conflict, with Osmajic scoring the hosts second objective within the forty fourth minute.
Osmajic began the match for Preston, whereas Parker opted to depart out Hannibal for the FA Cup tie.
Osmajic is Preston’s prime goalscorer within the league this season having struck 4 occasions, with the membership using excessive in fourth place within the Championship.
It’s the second prolonged ban imposed on Osmajic, who was final 12 months was banned for eight video games after biting Owen Beck’s neck in a recreation in opposition to Blackburn.
Osmajic obtained a yellow card, for dissent in the course of the incident – Beck was despatched off for kicking out – and Osmajic was later banned and fined £15,000.
