Hannibal Mejbri Alleges Racist Abuse by Milutin Osmajic
The English Football Association's investigation into the alleged racist abuse of Hannibal Mejbri by Milutin Osmajic is a significant step towards addressing the issue of racism in football, and the outcome will be closely watched by players, teams, and fans alike, as the sport continues to grapple with this serious problem.
Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has accused Preston forward Milutin Osmajic of racially abusing him during a Championship match, sparking an investigation by the English Football Association and support from his team.
The incident occurred in the second half of the match at Deepdale, with Mejbri reacting furiously and delaying the game for several minutes. He reported the incident to referee Andrew Kitchen, who has registered the complaint. Mejbri later posted on social media, stating that he would not stay silent about the incident and that racism has no place in the sport.
Preston has denied the allegations, with Osmajic strongly refuting the claims in a post-match meeting with match officials. The club has stated that they will not comment further until the investigation is complete. Burnley, on the other hand, has offered its support to Mejbri, with manager Scott Parker saying that the player is hurt and visibly stressed by the incident.
The incident has sparked a reaction from other players, including Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, who posted "Kick it out, no place for that in football" on social media. The two teams will meet again in the FA Cup fifth round on March 1, and the incident is likely to be a major talking point in the lead-up to the match.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the English Football Association will be working to determine the facts and take any necessary action. Mejbri's allegations have highlighted the ongoing issue of racism in football, and the need for players, teams, and governing bodies to work together to eradicate it from the sport.
