LONDON (AP) — Montenegro striker Milutin Osmajic was banned for nine matches on Friday for racially abusing an opponent during a match in England's second-tier Championship last season.

The incident happened on Feb. 15 during Preston's match against Burnley.

The English Football Association said an independent commission found Osmajic to have abused Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri with words which “included a reference — whether express or implied — to color and/or race.” Osmajic denied the charge.

The FA said the commission also imposed a fine of 21,000 pounds ($27,600) and a mandatory education course.

The teams met in the FA Cup a few weeks later and Burnley players refused to shake hands with Osmajic in solidarity with Mejbri, who said he received “disgusting” racial abuse from Osmajic

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