The Football Association has launched an investigation into an alleged racist comment directed at Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri during Saturday’s goalless draw against Preston North End at Deepdale.
Hannibal has accused Preston forward Milutin Osmajic of making the remark, a claim which Osmajic has “strongly refuted,” according to a statement from Preston.
The allegation was promptly reported by Hannibal to referee Andrew Kitchen during the match. The FA is now awaiting the referee’s official report, expected on Monday, which will provide further details of the incident.
Following the game, former Manchester United player Hannibal said in an Instagram post: “I will not be silent about what happened. 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 am a strong person but nobody should have to experience this disgusting abuse on the pitch.”
Burnley have said they were “aware of an alleged comment” and would offer their full support to the 22-year-old.
In a statement on Saturday, Preston said: “Milutin Osmajic has strongly refuted the claims of a comment made towards Hannibal Mejbri in a post-match meeting with today’s match officials.”
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Burnley boss Scott Parker said: “He’s hurt. I think everyone could see that at the time. Hannibal’s an emotional player and he was visibly very stressed by what was said.
“I don’t want to get into the real details of what was said, I’m sure it’ll come out in due course. Hannibal’s reported it and is bitterly gutted, so we’ll see what happens in the coming days.”
The two sides will meet at Deepdale again in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, 1 March.
In October, Osmajic was banned for eight games by the FA for biting Blackburn’s Owen Beck. He admitted the charge of violent conduct and was fined £15,000.