Milutin Osmajic given nine-match ban over alleged racial abuse of Hannibal Mejbri

TL;DR: Milutin Osmajic has received a nine-match suspension after an independent Football Association commission ruled he committed an aggravated breach of FA rules in relation to alleged racial abuse toward Hannibal Mejbri during a goalless Championship match at Deepdale on 15 February 2025. The Preston North End forward denies the charge. The FA confirmed the ban starts immediately, alongside a £21,000 fine and a mandatory education course. Preston say they are extremely disappointed, highlighting the commission’s balance of probabilities standard, and stress their continued support for the player. Written reasons will be published in due course.

Milutin Osmajic has been handed a nine-game suspension following an FA disciplinary hearing into an incident involving Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri during a Championship derby in February 2025. The Football Association said its independent regulatory commission found an aggravated breach of its conduct rules, with the case centered on allegations that the Preston North End striker used racially abusive language during the 0-0 draw at Deepdale on 15 February.

The FA confirmed the suspension takes effect immediately. Along with the ban, Osmajic has been fined £21,000 and must complete an education programme. The Montenegro international denied the charge throughout the process, but the panel determined the case was proven.

FA ruling on Milutin Osmajic explained

According to the governing body, the commission concluded that Osmajic’s conduct amounted to a breach of FA Rule E3.1 and that the matter was aggravated under FA Rule E3.2 because the words used were found to include a reference, express or implied, to race or colour. That designation elevates the seriousness of the offense and is reflected in the length of the suspension and the education requirement. The FA added that detailed written reasons will be issued in due course.

The case relates to a tightly contested Lancashire meeting between Preston and Burnley that ended without a goal. During that fixture, Mejbri alleged he was subjected to a racially abusive remark. The incident was investigated by the FA and then heard by the independent commission, which applies the civil burden of proof, known as the balance of probabilities, to determine whether a charge is proven.

Preston North End response

Preston expressed strong dissatisfaction with the outcome, stating they are extremely disappointed by the decision and the severity of the punishment. The club emphasized that the case was judged on the balance of probabilities rather than beyond reasonable doubt, underlining that the commission did not issue a moral judgment on the player’s character nor consider the matter premeditated. Preston reiterated that Osmajic has consistently maintained his innocence and said they continue to support him fully.

Osmajic, who joined Preston from Cadiz in September 2023, has been a regular this season. The 26-year-old has four goals in 11 Championship appearances, offering mobility in attack and a direct threat in transition. His absence for nine fixtures will challenge manager and squad depth, though the club’s statement focused on process and principle rather than sporting implications.

What happens next

The FA indicated that the suspension is immediate and that its written reasons will follow. Those documents typically set out the evidence considered and the panel’s rationale. Until then, the case turns on the commission’s finding of an aggravated breach and the sanctions imposed, which include education intended to address discriminatory behavior.

For Burnley’s Mejbri, the decision represents an official acknowledgment by the disciplinary body that a racially abusive comment was proven. For Osmajic and Preston, it is a ruling they contest but must abide by while awaiting the publication of the panel’s reasoning. The player’s denial remains on record, even as the punishment comes into force.

Key details of the Milutin Osmajic case

While the headline sanction is the nine-match ban, the FA’s determination also includes a financial penalty and education. It arrives against the backdrop of English football’s repeated insistence on zero tolerance for discriminatory conduct, with the disciplinary framework designed to recognize and punish offenses that reference protected characteristics.

Preston highlighted that the commission’s finding does not purport to define Osmajic’s overall character. That nuance, combined with the player’s ongoing denial, underscores why the written reasons are awaited with interest across the football community. The case will likely be cited in future discussions of how panels assess testimony, context, and language in heated match situations.

Player profile and season snapshot

Arriving from La Liga side Cadiz in late 2023, Osmajic has carved out a prominent role at Deepdale. This campaign he has offered end-product and pressing from the front, contributing four goals in 11 league outings. The commission’s decision means Preston must now navigate a significant portion of their schedule without a forward who has often started and influenced their pressing shape.

With the ban taking effect immediately, squad rotation and tactical tweaks will come into focus. However, the club’s public stance stresses due process and support for their player rather than any short-term reshuffle.

As the written reasons are awaited, the case remains defined by two positions: an independent panel that found the charge proven and a player who maintains he did not use racially abusive language. For Milutin Osmajic and Preston, the focus turns to complying with the sanctions while considering the commission’s forthcoming explanation.