Entire Burnley team refuse to shake Preston player’s hand amid racism storm
Burnley players refused to shake the hand of Preston’s Milutin Osmajic, who was accused of racism by Clarets star Hannibal Mejbri just two weeks ago. Having played out a 0-0 draw in the Championship the two sides again faced off, this time in the FA Cup, at Preston’s Deepdale stadium. Osmajic initially held his hand outBBC But quickly realised what was happeningBBC Before kick-off the two teams partook in the usual pre-match handshakes, but Osmajic – who was the last player in Preston’s squad – was snubbed by the entire Burnley team. Initially holding his hand out, the Montenegrin forward quickly realised what was happening and began to smile and play with his jacket. Mejbri wasn’t included in Scott Parker’s squad for the fifth round tie, with the coach discussing the player’s state of mind ahead of the game. “It is tough and one which I need to think hard and long on,” Parker said in a press conference on Thursday. “Fundamentally I want to protect Hannibal, but then why should he miss out? That is a decision I will have to make. “I will make the best decision that feels right for Hannibal, explaining the situation and seeing where he is comfortable. I will have those conversations on Friday morning.” Osmajic scored in the first-half as Preston went in at the break 2-0 up, with the forward cupping his ears to the Burnley fans as he celebrated. An FA investigation into the accusations of racism is still ongoing, with Preston saying that Osmajic ‘strongly refuted’ the claims in a statement. The alleged incident took place on February 15, also at Deepdale, in the 57th minute when Tunisian Mejbri looked furious after Osmajic shouted something towards him. Mejbri sprinted to referee Andrew Kitchen and the game was delayed for several minutes, with the official praised for his actions. Osmajic cupped his ears after scoring to make it 2-0AFP Osmajic has already been banned this season for biting an opponentGETTY Taking to social media post-match, the former Manchester United midfielder wrote: “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 25-year-old Osmajic joined Preston in 2023 from Spanish side Cadiz and has already had an eight-game ban and £15,000 fine this season. Osmajic was punished for the apparent bite on Blackburn’s Owen Beck in September.
Burnley players refused to shake the hand of Preston’s Milutin Osmajic, who was accused of racism by Clarets star Hannibal Mejbri just two weeks ago.
Having played out a 0-0 draw in the Championship the two sides again faced off, this time in the FA Cup, at Preston’s Deepdale stadium.
Before kick-off the two teams partook in the usual pre-match handshakes, but Osmajic – who was the last player in Preston’s squad – was snubbed by the entire Burnley team.
Initially holding his hand out, the Montenegrin forward quickly realised what was happening and began to smile and play with his jacket.
Mejbri wasn’t included in Scott Parker’s squad for the fifth round tie, with the coach discussing the player’s state of mind ahead of the game.
“It is tough and one which I need to think hard and long on,” Parker said in a press conference on Thursday.
“Fundamentally I want to protect Hannibal, but then why should he miss out? That is a decision I will have to make.
“I will make the best decision that feels right for Hannibal, explaining the situation and seeing where he is comfortable. I will have those conversations on Friday morning.”
Osmajic scored in the first-half as Preston went in at the break 2-0 up, with the forward cupping his ears to the Burnley fans as he celebrated.
An FA investigation into the accusations of racism is still ongoing, with Preston saying that Osmajic ‘strongly refuted’ the claims in a statement.
The alleged incident took place on February 15, also at Deepdale, in the 57th minute when Tunisian Mejbri looked furious after Osmajic shouted something towards him.
Mejbri sprinted to referee Andrew Kitchen and the game was delayed for several minutes, with the official praised for his actions.
Taking to social media post-match, the former Manchester United midfielder wrote: “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 25-year-old Osmajic joined Preston in 2023 from Spanish side Cadiz and has already had an eight-game ban and £15,000 fine this season.
Osmajic was punished for the apparent bite on Blackburn’s Owen Beck in September.
