Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic has been banned for nine matches for a racist insult – his club is disappointed. For Osmajic, this is the latest memorable punishment.
Milutin Osmajic continues to work on his image as a scandal-prone professional. On Friday, the 26-year-old striker was banned for nine games by Championship club Preston North End. The English Football Association (FA) found it proven that Osmajic racially abused his opponent Hannibal during the goalless league game against eventual promoted team Burnley FC on February 15.
The 30-time Montenegro international, who also has to pay a fine equivalent to around €24,000, denied the accusation and received backing from his employer.
The verdict was reached on the basis of the “balance of probabilities” principle rather than “beyond reasonable doubt,” writes Preston, who is “extremely disappointed.” “We also note that the FA has decided that this decision does not constitute a moral judgment, was not made intentionally, and is not a statement about his general character. Milutin has always maintained his innocence regarding the charge and continues to do so. We continue to fully support our player.”
Osmajic was suspended for a biting incident in the previous season
When Preston and Burnley met again in the FA Cup two weeks after the incident (3-0), Osmajic gestured towards the away fans after scoring a goal, while the Burnley players had previously refused to shake hands with the striker. Hannibal – who once played for Manchester United in the Premier League – did not feature in the game himself.
Preston, currently fourth in the table and in contention for promotion, will now have to do without Osmajic, who has played in 12 of 14 games this season, starting nine times (four goals), until Christmas. This is not a new situation: Osmajic was suspended for eight games last season after biting Blackburn Rovers’ Owen Beck on the neck in September 2024, unnoticed by the referee. At the time, he accepted the punishment.
