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Montenegro striker Milutin Osmajić has been suspended for nine matches for racially abusing an opponent during a match in England's second-tier Championship last season. The incident occurred in Preston North End's match against Burnley at Deepdale on February 15. England's Football Association (FA) said an independent commission found Preston North End's Osmajić abused Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri with words that "included a reference — whether express or implied — to colour and/or race". Osmajić denied the charge. The FA said the commission also imposed a fine of 21,000 pounds ($42,544) and a mandatory education course. The teams met in the FA Cup a few weeks later and Burnley players refused to shake hands with Osmajić in a show of solidarity with Mejbri. Mejbri, a Tunisian international, said he received "disgusting" racial abuse from Osmajić. Reacting to the nine-match ban, Preston North End said the club was "extremely disappointed at the decision". "We note that the outcome was determined on the 'balance of probabilities' rather than one that is 'beyond reasonable doubt'," Preston North End said in a statement. "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 always pleaded his innocence of the charge and continues to do so. "We continue to be fully supportive of our player."
