Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri banned for 4 matches ahead of Newcastle United clash after spitting at Leeds fans
Burnley star hit with a four-game ban ahead of Newcastle United trip.
Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri has been banned for four matches and fined £15,000 for spitting at Leeds fans during a Premier League match between the two sides last month.
Mejbri, 22, was charged with misconduct by the Football Association in November and an independent regulatory commission has now sanctioned the Tunisia international following Burnley’s 2-0 win at Turf Moor on October 18. Ahead of the trip to Newcastle United on Saturday, he will now serve a ban.
The Clarets midfielder was accused of spitting in the direction of Leeds United fans during the game at Turf Moor in October. The 22-year-old came on as an 83rd-minute substitute during Burnley’s 2-0 win, but the incident in question is said to have taken place earlier in the second-half while he was warming up.
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The visiting side were made aware of the allegation after a complaint was made by a supporter in the away section. Leeds subsequently passed on the complaint to Lancashire Police, who also launched their own investigation. Hannibal was subsequently charged with misconduct by the FA, a charge he admitted to.
An FA statement said: “It was alleged that the player acted in breach of the Laws of the Game and/or in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters around the 67th minute.
“Hannibal Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match suspension and £15,000 fine following a hearing.”
The incident occurred while substitute Mejbri was warming up in front of the away end, 16 minutes before he stepped off the bench in the 83rd minute.
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