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Preston North End star Milutin Osmajic has been handed a lengthy ban after being charged over an alleged racist remark aimed at Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri. The incident occurred during Preston's 0-0 draw with the Clarets at Deepdale in February 2025, causing the match to be briefly stopped. The FA launched an investigation into the incident and subsequently charged Osmajic with two alleged breaches of their regulations. As a result, the Montenegro striker was charged with breaches of FA Rule E3.1 — acting in an improper manner and/or using abusive and/or insulting words — and an 'aggravated breach', defined in FA Rule 3.2 as including a reference — whether express or implied — to colour and/or race. Osmajic 'strongly refuted' and denied the charges. However, after an eight-month-long investigation by an independent commission, which included a private hearing held in September, the commission found that the charge against Osmajic was proven. FA Hand Milutin Osmajic Lengthy Ban Osmajic's ban was confirmed in a statement issued by the Football Association on Friday afternoon. The FA's statement said: "An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Preston North End FC’s Milutin Osmajić for a proven breach of FA Rule E3. "It was alleged that the forward had breached FA Rule E3.1 by acting in an improper manner and/or using abusive and/or insulting words towards a Burnley FC player during their EFL Championship fixture on Saturday 15 February. "It was also alleged that this matter constitutes an “Aggravated Breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as the words included a reference – whether express or implied – to colour and/or race. "Milutin Osmajić denied the charge against him, which the Regulatory Commission found to be proven, and it has imposed an immediate nine-match suspension, £21,000 fine and mandatory education course. "The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course." As a result, Osmajic will be out of action until December 29 when Preston face Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. The Preston star's ban puts him firmly amongst the names who have been handed the longest bans in recent football history. In England, Rio Ferdinand and Mark Bosnich were handed eight and nine-month bans respectively for failing drug tests, while Eric Cantona faced an eight-month ban for his kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace fan. Luis Suarez was handed a 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic while at Liverpool, while Paulo Di Canio was given an 11-game ban for pushing referee Paul Alcock while at Sheffield Wednesday in 1998.
