Preston’s Osmajic charged by FA over alleged racial abuse towards Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri

The English Football Association (FA) has charged Preston North End forward Milutin Osmajic after he was alleged to have racially abused Burnley forward Hannibal Mejbri. The incident occurred during a Championship match in February between Burnley and Preston, where Mejbri reported experiencing “disgusting abuse” from Osmajic. The Tunisia international quickly informed the referee and manager Scott Parker, resulting in a brief stoppage of the game.

After the match, Preston issued a statement claiming Osmajic “strongly refuted” the allegation. When the two teams faced each other in the FA Cup in March, Burnley players declined to shake hands with Osmajic in a demonstration of support for Mejbri.

FA Charged Preston’s forward Osmajic over racial abuse

“Milutin Osmajic has been charged with breaching FA Rule E3 at the EFL Championship fixture between Preston North End and Burnley on Saturday 15 February,” the FA said in a statement on Monday.

“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’s further alleged that this constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it includes a reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race.”

Osmajic has until March 25 to respond to the charge. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time he has been embroiled in such controversy. Last year, he was given an 8-match suspension and a £15,000 fine for biting an opponent. It is likely that if proven guilty, he will be given a lengthy ban and a considerable fine as punishment. The onus will be on the FA to give an exemplary punishment to display their commitment to proving that racism has no place in football.