PRESTON North End player Milutin Osmajic has been suspended for nine matches following charges of racially abusing Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri.
The Football Association of England charged Osmajic in March for an alleged racist remark made against Tunisia international midfielder Mejbri during their 0-0 Championship draw at Deepdale in February.
The FA said that an independent Regulatory Commission found that Montenegrin forward Osmajic’s actions constituted an ‘aggravated breach’, as defined in FA Rule E3.2, as the words included a reference to colour and/or race. Osmajic had denied the charge.
Preston said in a statement that they were “extremely disappointed” with the decision.
“Milutin has always pleaded his innocence and continues to do so. We continue to be fully supportive of our player,” the club added.
The 26-year-old has also been fined £21,000 and has been ordered to complete an education course.
This is not the first racial abuse ban in England in recent years, with more high-profile cases involving then Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, banned for abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, and former Chelsea captain John Terry for racist remarks against Anton Ferdinand.