Preston striker Milutin Osmajic has been handed a nine-game ban for allegedly racially abusing Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri earlier this yr.
It was alleged 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 the Clarets midfielder throughout their Championship fixture on February 15.
It was additionally alleged this matter constituted 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.
Osmajic denied the cost towards him.
Nevertheless, an impartial regulatory fee discovered the cost to be confirmed and has imposed an instantaneous nine-match suspension, a £21,000 fantastic and obligatory schooling course.
The FA says the the regulatory fee’s written causes “will be published in due course”.
The 26-year-old won’t be out there to play once more till North Finish’s journey to Stoke on Boxing Day.
An announcement launched by Preston mentioned: “We are extremely disappointed at the decision made by an independent regulatory commission to sanction Milutin Osmajic and impose a nine-match suspension, following an incident which took place in a league fixture against Burnley on February 15, 2025.
“We observe that the end result was decided on the ‘stability of chances’ quite than one that’s ‘past cheap doubt’.
“We also note that the FA determined that this decision offers no moral judgement, was not premeditated nor any comment about his general character.
“Milutin has all the time pleaded his innocence of the cost and continues to take action. We proceed to be totally supportive of our participant.
“We are proud of our equity, diversity and inclusion policies and practices, and we reaffirm our opposition to all forms of discrimination.”
Following the sport in February, Hannibal posted on X: “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.
“I’m a powerful particular person however no person ought to must expertise this disgusting abuse on the pitch.”
