Preston's Osmajic Gets Nine-game Ban For Racial Abuse

Preston North End guardant Milutin Osmajic has been fixed a nine-game prohibition aft he was charged pinch racially abusing Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri.

The incident happened during Preston's goalless tie pinch Burnley successful February and he will now miss up to and including their crippled against Stoke City connected Boxing Day.

The Montenegrin has besides been fined £21,000.

Osmajic, who "strongly refuted" and denied nan allegations was charged by nan Football Association successful March pinch a proceeding taking spot successful September.

The FA said, external that pursuing nan hearing, an "aggravated breach", wherever utilizing abusive and/or insulting words which included reference to colour and/or race, was recovered to beryllium proven.

In response,, external Preston said they were "extremely disappointed" astatine nan determination and reaffirmed their guidance to each forms of discrimination.

"We statement that nan result was wished connected nan 'Balance of Probabilities' alternatively than 1 that is 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt'," nan nine added.

"We besides statement that The FA wished that this determination offers nary civilized judgement, was not premeditated nor immoderate remark astir his wide character.

"Milutin has ever pleaded his innocence of nan complaint and continues to do so. We proceed to beryllium afloat supportive of our player."

February's Championship fixture was delayed for respective minutes successful nan 2nd half erstwhile nan Tunisian reacted furiously to thing which appeared to beryllium said to him by Osmajic, while Hannibal past said astatine magnitude to referee Andrew Kitchen.

Two weeks later, nan teams faced each different successful nan FA Cup 5th information pinch Osmajic scoring Preston's 2nd extremity and gesturing towards nan Burnley fans during his celebrations.

Hannibal was near retired by Burnley leader Scott Parker for nan tie, which Preston won 3-0, while nan Clarets refused to shingle hands pinch Osmajic during nan pre-match preparations.

It is nan 2nd lengthy prohibition that Osmajic has been fixed successful arsenic galore seasons, having received an eight-game suspension successful 2024-25 for biting Blackburn Rovers' Owen Beck successful September 2024.

The Montenegro international, who admitted that peculiar complaint of convulsive conduct, was besides fined £15,000.