Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri said he had been the target of racism from an opposition player during his side’s 0-0 draw at Deepdale, but Preston released a statement saying Milutin Osmajic denied the claim.
Midway through the second half Osmajic was involved in a heated verbal exchange with Mejbri, which Burnley’s manager, Scott Parker, confirmed had been reported by his midfielder. After the game Mejbri posted on 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.”
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. 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.”
Burnley also released a statement, saying: “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.”
Speaking after the goalless draw, Burnley’s 11th clean sheet in a row, Parker said: “Something inappropriate was said to Hannibal which he reported. You could clearly see he was very distressed and in that moment we tried to get some context into what exactly had happened because he was very emotional.
Birmingham continued their relentless promotion push from League One as they posted a 1-0 home win against Charlton. Jay Stansfield's first-half strike was enough for victory, with Birmingham extending their points advantage after second-placed Wycombe were held 1-1 at Crawley. Will Swan gave lowly Crawley an early lead, and although Daniel Udoh equalised midway through the first half, Wycombe had to settle for a point.
Wrexham continued their push for a third successive promotion with a straightforward 2-0 victory over Northampton after Sam Smith and Ollie Rathbone scored in the space of three first-half minutes.
Stockport left it late against hosts Wigan, with Lewis Bate and Will Collar scoring during the final 11 minutes for a 2-0 win, and Huddersfield stayed tucked in behind County in the play-off zone through a 2-1 victory at Barnsley. Jon Russell put Barnsley ahead, but Josh Koroma and Ben Wiles scored during a devastating three-minute spell to secure maximum points.
Lincoln fought back from two goals down at Leyton Orient after Sonny Perkins' double for the home side, with Lewis Montsma and James Collins seemingly securing a share of the spoils, but Charlie Kelman struck for a 3-2 win, and John McAtee scored twice to spearhead Bolton's fightback in a 3-2 success at Shrewsbury. Vadaine Oliver put Shrewsbury ahead before Eoan Toal equalised and McAtee made sure of the points, although Luca Hoole scored late on for the home side.
Harvey Knibbs' penalty in added time gave Reading a 2-1 win against Rotherham - Knibbs also scored the opener - while Blackpool and Mansfield drew 3-3 in a thriller after late goals from Ashley Fletcher and Niall Ennis secured a point for the hosts.
Stevenage and Peterborough, meanwhile, drew 1-1, and Bristol Rovers beat Burton 3-1 thanks to late goals from Luke Thomas and Isaac Hutchinson. Exeter piled further misery on bottom club Cambridge as striker Josh Magennis, who scored twice in the Grecians' FA Cup clash against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, headed the only goal 17 minutes from time. PA Media
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.”
The Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom was in the stands due to a pitchside suspension but he was keen to praise the officials. On the verbal spat between Osmajic and Mejbri, he said: “It looks like there’s some allegation that [Osmajic] has said something. At the moment, it’s ‘he said, she said’. It looked like the referee handled it well in terms of the procedures and what’s meant to happen. I don’t know what the cause of it was but I think the referee handled it well.”
Parker’s side lost ground at the top after Anel Ahmedhodzic’s 79th-minute winner sent Sheffield United to the summit with a hard‑fought 1-0 victory at bottom‑placed Luton.
The contest at Kenilworth Road looked destined to finish goalless between two teams who have experienced contrasting fortunes since relegation from the Premier League last season. Ahmedhodzic had other ideas and fired home after the hosts’ failed to deal with a long-throw to move Chris Wilder’s side a point ahead of Leeds, who play on Monday before the two Yorkshire rivals face off on 24 February. Meanwhile, Matt Bloomfield’s Luton remain rooted to the bottom of the table following another blank.
Managerless Blackburn were able to move on from John Eustace’s shock departure to Derby with a 2-0 win over FA Cup giantkillers Plymouth. Adam Forshaw opened the scoring in the 55th-minute before Tyrhys Dolan wrapped up the points for playoff hopefuls Rovers with a second 12 minutes from time.
West Brom complete the top six after they played out a 1-1 draw at Millwall with a second consecutive own goal by Lions’ defender Joe Bryan enough to ensure the spoils were shared in London.
Two goals from Ellis Simms means Frank Lampard’s Coventry are a point behind following a dramatic 2-1 victory away to Sheffield Wednesday. Simms struck in the second minute of stoppage time after his early opener had been cancelled out by Joel Latibeaudiere’s 62nd-minute own goal.
League Two leaders Walsall maintained a healthy gap at the top after they fought back from a goal down to beat Chesterfield 3-1. James Grimes gave the visitors an eighth-minute lead, but Walsall made sure of the points following second-half goals in quick succession from Jamille Matt and Ellis Harrison, before Levi Aamantchi's late effort.
Automatic promotion hopefuls Bradford secured a battling point against in-form Newport at Rodney Parade, staving off a 17th-minute red card for Jack Shepherd, who fouled Courtney Baker-Richardson when he was through on goal, to claim a 0-0 draw.
Matty Stevens scored his 16th goal of the season as AFC Wimbledon strengthened their automatic promotion hopes with a 1-0 win against close rivals Salford, and Grimsby extended their unbeaten League Two run to four matches with a 2-1 win at Doncaster thanks to a Justin Obikwu strike and a Joseph Olowu own goal, although Rob Street's late header for Doncaster ensured a nervy finish.
Crewe had Ryan Cooney sent off but they still secured a 0-0 draw at Gillingham, and Bromley edged out Fleetwood 1-0 thanks to Michael Cheek's goal early in the second half.
Lowly Morecambe claimed a crucial three points as goals from Lee Angol and Gerard Garner saw off Accrington 2-0, with bottom club Carlisle drawing 0-0 at home to Colchester and Harrogate edging out Swindon 1-0 thanks to Jasper Moon's effort.
Matty Taylor spearheaded a thrilling Cheltenham fightback from two goals down as his team triumphed 3-2 against Barrow, with Ashley Hay scoring the winner, and Tranmere and MK Dons drew 1-1.
Moussa Sissoko helped ease the pressure on Watford’s manager, Tom Cleverley, after a five-match winless run with the only goal to earn victory in a tight contest at Middlesbrough.
Second-half strikes by Wouter Burger, Bae Jun-ho and Lewis Baker helped Stoke come from behind to win 3-1 at home to Swansea.
Hull are a point outside the relegation zone after Matt Crooks’ goal earned a 1-1 draw with Norwich, while Yousef Salech’s stoppage-time equaliser ensured Cardiff claimed a point at home to Bristol City. Portsmouth secured an important 2-0 victory away to Oxford after goals by Andre Dozzell and Mark O’Mahony.
