Hannibal’s “inexcusable” decision to spit in the direction of Leeds United fans was a response to goading he received over his race case with Milutin Osmajic.

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The Burnley midfielder was hit with a four-match ban at the end of last year after admitting an FA charge.

Hannibal, who turns 23 today, spat in the direction of the away end at Turf Moor during the game between Burnley and Leeds in October.

At the time of the incident, which came midway through the second-half, Hannibal wasn’t even involved in the game. But as a substitute, he was sent to run around the perimeter of the pitch to deliver some energy gels to Clarets goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

As he did so, the midfielder – who later come off the bench – claims to have been “goaded” and “abused” by supporters in the away end, as per the written reasons which have now been published on the FA’s website.

It’s also claimed Leeds fans accused Hannibal of making up the allegations of racial abuse he made towards Preston North End striker Osmajic, saying they were “in his head” – a direct reference to the Burnley chant.

Osmajic has since been hit with a nine-game ban after it was found on the balance of probabilities he said: ‘f**k you, black guy” during the game between PNE and Burnley in February last year. But at the time of the spitting incident, no verdict had been handed down.

Hannibal came on as a substitute during the game in question (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Hannibal’s position is that he did spit in the air as a “sign of defiance” while facing the Leeds supporters, but in his evidence he sought to make it clear he had no intention of spitting at anyone in particular. He adds he knew he was far enough away that he would not reach them.

The Burnley player accepted it was an unacceptable thing to do and sincerely regretted his actions.

In mitigation, it was submitted that Hannibal had experienced a lot of racism in his football career to date as well as dealing with the ongoing incident with Osmajic. It was claimed Hannibal had been left frustrated with the eight-month wait to reach a decision.

The club argued a six-match ban – the usual suspension for when a player is sent off for spitting – would be incorrect given the player was not dismissed, the incident wasn’t seen by the referee nor did Hannibal spit at an individual person.

Instead, the Clarets suggested Hannibal should receive a warning of his future conduct but no ban.

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The FA gave Hannibal credit for his co-operation and his early admission, but believed spitting at someone and spitting in the direction of a group of people amounts to the same thing.

The commission concluded that Hannibal did spit at the supporters, but accepted the likelihood of spit hitting anyone was remote. They did, however, state it would have been a “grave matter” had this been the case.

Having considered written and video evidence, the commission stated: “This was a serious case.

“The commission were not persuaded by the club’s submission that a warning was a sufficient sanction in this case. Firstly, spitting is and always will be abhorrent. It is inexcusable.

“However, in this case, and its particular facts, the commission found there to be compelling mitigation to deviate from the automatic suspension.

“Mr Mejbri has been subject to racist abuse on multiple occasions, from his youth growing up in France and in his time living in the UK. This abuse unfortunately is always there.

“We may talk of club rivalries, the conduct of supporters, and the societal realities but then conversely expect those subject to this abuse, to somehow behave to a higher standard, with enhanced accountability.

“In this case, some of those supporters, and again, a minority, sought to abuse and taunt Mr Mejbri over a separate case, a case relating to racist comments made to him whilst playing.

“The fans were not to know that the case had been found proven, yet that doesn’t really matter, the abuse is seeking to goad, hurt, damage and elicit a response.

“In this instance Mr Mejbri did react. Whilst gestural, and as submitted, an act of defiance, this conduct will never be acceptable.

“Balanced against the compelling mitigation; Mr Mejbri’s previous experiences, admittance, contrition and co-operation, the commission agreed that a four-match sanction was the appropriate sanction.”

Hannibal, who was also fined £15,000, has since served his suspension and has returned to action.

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