Montenegro international Osmajic appeared to say something to Mejbri during the goalless English second-tier match at Deepdale that angered the former Manchester United midfielder, who then informed Clarets boss Scott Parker about the incident. Osmajic has already been in trouble this season after receiving an eight-match ban and a £15,000 ($19,000) fine for biting Blackburn's Owen Beck in another Lancashire derby in September, which also finished goalless.

An incensed Mejbri wrote on Instagram after Saturday's match: "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." The 22-year-old Tunisia international added: "I am a strong person but nobody should have to experience this disgusting abuse on the pitch."

Burnley manager Parker said: "I'm not going to go through the detail of what was said but something has been said to Hannibal and he has reported that and the officials have taken down what was reported. We could clearly see he was very distressed at that moment and we tried to firstly get some context of what exactly had happened, because he was obviously very emotional."

In a statement, Preston said: "Preston North End are aware of a complaint that has been made by Hannibal Mejbri and Burnley FC to today's match officials with regards to an allegation of a comment made by Milutin Osmajic during today's Sky Bet Championship fixture at Deepdale. Milutin Osmajic has strongly refuted the claims of a comment made towards Hannibal Mejbri in a post-match meeting with today's match officials."

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom, who watched the game from the stands, said: I've not spoken to the referee. I've not spoken to anyone other than our staff and I'm not too sure anyone down there knew. Milly could have been shouting in any language under the sun...shouting anything when you've heard him ranting. So it could have been anything."

February 15, 2025

M. Osmajić

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