Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a significant four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine by the Football Association for misconduct during a Premier League fixture. The incident, which occurred during Burnley's 2-0 victory over Leeds United at Turf Moor on 18 October, has resulted in a major setback for the struggling Clarets.
Mejbri's Misconduct and Immediate Consequences
The FA referred the case to an independent regulatory commission after it was alleged that Mejbri acted in a breach of the laws of the game. The specific charge stated that around the 67th minute, the player spat at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.
Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge of improper and indecent behaviour. Following a hearing, the commission imposed the immediate sanctions. A full written explanation of the decision is expected to be published soon. This ban comes at a difficult time for Vincent Kompany's side, who are 19th in the table and have lost five consecutive matches ahead of a tough trip to Newcastle United.
Managerial Reactions Across the League
The news from Turf Moor emerges amidst a series of notable comments from Premier League managers. At Chelsea, head coach Enzo Maresca made a pointed defence of his young squad following a 3-1 defeat to Leeds in the Carabao Cup. He singled out experienced defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 28, for a poor performance, arguing that a lack of experience was not the reason for the loss.
"We always talk about experience when we drop points," Maresca said. "When we beat Barcelona, no one mentioned experienced players... Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? Tosin. Did he play good? So, it’s not about experience."
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive improvement from Manchester City after a chaotic 5-4 win at Fulham. Despite scoring eight goals in their last two games, City have looked vulnerable, conceding six. Guardiola confirmed his side must learn from their mistakes. "Of course I’m concerned," he stated. "We have to improve. The average of shots conceded we can see is high." He also confirmed midfielder Rodri would miss the upcoming match against Sunderland.
Contract Talks and Team News
Elsewhere, Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has prioritised contract talks for defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman. Wilson revealed that extending their deals is a key objective, though negotiations are ongoing. On the pitch, Botman will miss the weekend clash with Burnley, but there is hope that record signing Yoane Wissa could finally make his debut after a knee injury.
At West Ham, manager Nuno Espírito Santo confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup against Brighton after serving a suspension for a red card against Liverpool. Nuno stressed the importance of the match for his 18th-placed side, acknowledging the intense pressure of the relegation battle.
Finally, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta praised midfielder Mikel Merino, who has been deputising as an emergency striker. After scoring and assisting in a 2-0 win over Brentford, Arteta suggested Merino has earned the right to be considered for the role even when regular forwards return from injury. The Gunners remain hopeful Declan Rice will be fit for Saturday's match against Aston Villa.
