Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic has been charged by the Football Association (FA) following allegations of racially abusing Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri during their goalless draw at Deepdale last month.
The FA launched an investigation into the incident, which saw Mejbri react angrily to something reportedly said by Osmajic during the second half. The Tunisian midfielder spoke extensively with referee Andrew Kitchen, leading to a delay in the match.
Osmajic, 25, has been given until March 25 to respond to the charge.
A statement from the FA read: “It’s alleged that the forward acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards an opposing player contrary to FA Rule E3.1.” It further stated that the alleged offense constituted an “aggravated breach” as it included a reference to “colour and/or race.”
Osmajic has “strongly refuted” the allegations.
The two teams met again in the FA Cup fifth round two weeks later, with Preston securing a 3-0 victory. Burnley players refused to shake hands with Osmajic before the game, while Mejbri was left out of the squad by manager Scott Parker. Osmajic went on to score Preston’s second goal.
Explaining his decision to omit Mejbri, Parker said: “It has been a tough decision. Hannibal is a vitally important member of this squad, but I felt it was best for him not to be in this situation.”
Following the initial match, Mejbri took to Instagram to speak out about the alleged incident, stating: “I will not be silent about what happened today. I will always call out racism whenever I hear or see it. That is the only way we change as a sport and a society.”
This is not Osmajic’s first disciplinary issue. In October, he was banned for eight games and fined £15,000 after admitting to biting Blackburn’s Owen Beck during a match.
