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Topics: Preston North End, EFL Championship, Burnley, Hannibal Mejbri
Ryan Smart
Topics: Preston North End, EFL Championship, Burnley, Hannibal Mejbri
Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic was 'close to tears' before denying allegations of racist abuse towards Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri after Saturday's 0-0 draw between the two sides, according to a new report.
The Lancashire derby was briefly stopped in the second half after Mejbri reported an alleged comment from Osmajic to the match referee and fourth official.
The Tunisia midfielder also spoke on the touchline to Clarets manager Scott Parker, who told Sky Sports after the match: "He explained to me what was said and, at that moment, we just wanted to work out how he was and where he was in his head space. It will go down to due process now ... All I know is what Hannibal said to me."
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PNE boss Paul Heckingbottom, who was serving a touchline ban for the match, told the Lancashire Post that he 'didn't know' what the cause of the incident was, adding: "It just looked the ref handled it all well. I'm seeing the same as you guys. I've not spoken to the referee, I've not spoken to anyone other than our staff.
"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."
Both clubs released statements after the incident, with North End confirming that Montenegro striker Osmajic had 'strongly refuted the claims of a racist comment made towards Hannibal Mejbri in a post-match meeting with today's match officials'.
Burnley, meanwhile, confirmed that the alleged comment was reported to officials 'both during and after the game', and stated: "The club will continue to show its complete support to Hannibal."
Hannibal took to Instagram to post a statement of his own, in which he accused his opponent of racist abuse.
The matter will now be investigated by the FA, who confirmed to SPORTbible on Sunday that they are 'aware' of the incident and are looking into it.
The Sun's Alan Nixon provided reported details on Sunday about the post-match meeting between the two players and the match officials, including match referee Andrew Kitchen.
Now, Nixon has reported that Osmajic was 'close to tears' before entering the officials' room following the 0-0 draw to deny the accusation made against him.
It is claimed that the Montenegro striker also told officials that he has black team-mates and friends at North End and would not have insulted them.
Nixon also claims that Burnley players requested that Osmajic was substituted immediately after the allegation was made on 57 minutes. PNE assistant manager Stuart McCall - with manager Heckingbottom serving a touchline ban - decided not to substitute him.
The striker was later substituted on 77 minutes and replaced by Emil Riis.
SPORTbible have contacted Milutin Osmajic's representatives for comment.