Exclusive: Milutin Osmajic faces new FA probe after latest Preston vs Burnley clash
Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic could find himself under more scrutiny from the FA following his goal celebration in his side’s FA Cup over Burnley, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the 25-year-old may have avoided a yellow card over the incident thanks to the intervention of his teammates.
Preston progressed to the quarter finals of the FA Cup on Saturday (1 March) following that 3-0 win over Burnley.
However it was not without its controversy following the recent Championship meeting between the two Lancashire rivals.
Milutin Osmajic taunts Burnley fans after goal
The goalless league draw between the two last month had been overshadowed after Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri accused Osmajic of making a racist comment to him.
While Hannibal was not involved for Scott Parker‘s side in this FA Cup clash, Osmajic did start the game for Preston.
However, the Burnley squad noticeably refused to shake hands with the striker before kick-off, and he was noticeably booed by the Clarets supporters any time he touched the ball.
But after scoring to put Preston 2-0 up, the Montenegro international celebrated by cupping his ears and gesturing to the away fans, before being guided away by his teammates.
New rules have recently been pitched to punish celebrations that could be seen as goading the opposition, but Osmajic did not receive any punishment from referee John Brooks here.
Hackett has now given his verdict on why that may have been the case with this particular incident.
Keith Hackett reacts to Preston goal celebrations
Speaking to Football Insider about those celebrations from Osmajic, the former referee said:
“I think what helped that situation in all honesty – and it shouldn’t have taken place – I can understand the frustration and everything that goes on, but the real thing for me was that his own player, colleague, I think saved him from a yellow card.
“I think that player coming in quickly and almost ushering him away, albeit as part of the celebration sort of dampened down the conflict that could have arisen and in a way he’s stayed on the pitch.
| Preston last five games | Result |
| Norwich (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Burnley (H) | Drew 0-0 |
| Millwall (H) | Drew 1-1 |
| Coventry (A) | Lost 2-1 |
| Burnley (H) | Won 3-0 |
“The FA have made it very clear that they’re unhappy abut celebrations of goals, and this may well come under that category.
“So I would not be surprised if the FA take a look at it, understanding all that’s going off, and he will get, the club of through his manager they may well get some correspondence saying ‘look, take care’.
“In the meantime of course there’s an in-depth investigation, so it might all wrap in as one, watch this space...
“In fairness looking from a refereeing perspective, he would have been prepared, the referee will have done his homework he will have been aware of the situation he will have watched the handshake process and maybe he’s decided ‘I’m also going to give a bit of a tolerance here, let it breathe a bit and not get too officious.”
Following that win Preston are now set to host Aston Villa in the FA Cup quarter finals at Deepdale at the end of March.