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Lancashire rivals Preston North End and Burnley played out a 0-0 draw at Deepdale on Saturday afternoon.
The result marked a second tier record-breaking 11th clean sheet in a row for Burnley, who now sit third in the Championship table ahead of Monday night’s meeting between fellow automatic promotion hopefuls Leeds United and Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Preston are 15th and will be proud of the fact that they have now enjoyed three consecutive games unbeaten across all competitions, including a penalty shootout victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup.
However, the football itself was not the main talking point from Deepdale on Saturday afternoon. In the second half, a clash between Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri and Preston’s Milutin Osmajic escalated severely, with the former accusing the latter of racially abusing him on the pitch.
Hannibal opens up on Milutin Osmajic incident
Following Saturday afternoon’s draw between the two North West rivals, Hannibal wrote on Twitter/X: “I will not be silent about what happened today. 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.”
The match was delayed during the second half when former Manchester United midfielder Hannibal was visibly upset by something said to him by Preston forward Milutin Osmajic, before he held a lengthy conversation with referee Andrew Kitchen.
Burnley have said that the alleged abuse was reported to the relevant officials both during and after the match, while Kitchen has officially registered the complaint.
Reportedly, one Preston player approached the Burnley dressing room following the final whistle in order to check in on Hannibal’s wellbeing.
Osmajic was previously charged with misconduct by the FA earlier in the season, after biting Blackburn Rovers player Owen Beck and was subsequently fined £15,000.
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Preston and Burnley issue official responses to situation
Following Hannibal’s allegation, both clubs involved in Saturday’s fixture issued official statements.
Burnley’s official Twitter/X page wrote: “Burnley Football Club is aware of an alleged comment made to Hannibal by Milutin Osmajic during our game against Preston North End which was reported to officials both during and after the game.
“During the second-half Hannibal made referee Andrew Kitchen aware of the comment who has registered the complaint. The Club would like to thank the officials for their professional handling of the incident.
“The Club will continue to show its complete support to Hannibal and there will be no further comment made until the investigation has been completed.”
Meanwhile, Preston’s official website revealed that Osmajic has denied the claims, but stated that they condemn incidents of racism: “Preston North End are aware of a complaint made by Hannibal Mejbri and Burnley to today’s match officials with regards to an allegation of a comment made by Milutin Osmajic.
“Milutin Osmajic has strongly refuted the claims of a racist comment made towards Hannibal Mejbri in a post-match meeting with today’s match officials. The club would like to thank the match officials for the way they have handled the issue and will assist with the investigation until a conclusion has been found.
“In the meantime, the club feel it is unjust and inappropriate to post social media comments presuming guilt until there is the opportunity for a full investigation to take place. Preston North End utterly condemn any incidents of racism or discrimination wherever and whenever they occur, however, Milutin Osmajic categorically denies the allegations made against him today. No further comment will be made at this time.”
We will now have to wait until an official investigation into the matter takes place and see what action, if any, is taken from here on out.