Mejbri Incident Highlights Need For Respect In Football
The importance of Respect barriers is about more than just having practical apparatus at the side of a football pitch. The logo highlights the ongoing need to battle against discrimination in all its forms.
Most people will have no argument with football being a game for everybody, whether playing, coaching or watching as a fan. But, unfortunately, there are frequent reminders that the message is still needed.
The latest instance emerged in a Championship game between Preston North End and Burnley at Deepdale on February 15th. During the Lancashire derby, which finished 0-0, Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri reacted angrily to a comment made to him by Preston player Milutin Osmajic.
Mejbri immediately spoke to the referee and then officials by the pitch, claiming the Montenegrin forward racially abused him.
Speaking after the game, Tunisian international Mejbri said: “I will not be silent about what happened today. I will always call out racism whenever I hear or see it.”
He added that this was necessary to “change sport and society” and “nobody should have to experience this disgusting abuse on the pitch.”
Burnley Football Club has spoken up in support of the player and the FA will now investigate the matter, although Osmajic has denied making any racist remark and a Preston statement noted that he “strongly refuted” the allegation. Tensions may be raised higher as the clubs will shortly meet in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Whatever the outcome of the investigation, there have been other incidents of racism at football matches this season, both in England and elsewhere.
Some countries have gained a particularly bad reputation for this, such as Spain, where Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has been a particularly common victim of racist abuse from crowds.
Football fans in Manchester will remember Hannibal Mejbri from his time at Manchester United, where he made 13 first team appearances and scored one goal, before moving to Burnley for a £5.4 million fee last summer.