Hannibal Mejbri is accused of spitting at Leeds United fans during Burnley’s win on Saturday – and both the FA and Lancashire Police are looking into those claims
17:30, 20 Oct 2025Updated 17:35, 20 Oct 2025
Hannibal Mejbri is accused of spitting at Leeds United fans during Saturday’s match at Turf Moor.(Image: (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images))
The Football Association has joined Lancashire Police in looking into claims Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri spat at Leeds United supporters during his side’s 2-0 victory on Saturday. Mejbri came on after 83 minutes, and went on to be booked in added-time at Turf Moor after a strong challenge on Gabriel Gudmundsson.
And now, following a number of accusations of spitting being made against Mejbri, Mirror Football understands that the FA are looking into those claims, before deciding on whether to launch a formal investigation. Lancashire Police have also confirmed that they are currently working with Burnley to “establish the facts”.
A statement from the force read: “Lancashire Police are aware of an alleged incident involving a Burnley player during the second half of the Premier League game between Burnley and Leeds United at Turf Moor on Saturday 18th October. We are currently working with Burnley Football Club to establish the facts.”
Burnley have not commented on the matter, while Leeds are aware of the allegations. Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg believes that if the former Manchester United man is found to have spat at Leeds fans, then he will face a minimum suspension of three games from the FA.
“If charged, Hannibal could receive a suspension which the Football Association will determine, and I think will be at least three matches,” he told Leeds News.
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Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was issued with a five-match stadium ban last year after spitting on the floor as the match officials walked past following his club’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to Fulham at the City Ground.
Back in 2003, El Hadji Diouf was found guilty of spitting at a Celtic supporter and was, subsequently, charged with assault. The former forward was fined £5,000 and banned for two European matches by UEFA after pleading guilty in a Scottish court.
And, earlier on this year, Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez was given an additional three-game ban for spitting on a Seattle Sounders staff member. Major League Soccer handed the former Liverpool man the ban after he grabbed Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas before spitting on security director Gene Ramirez.
Goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna secured the Clarets their second Premier League win of the season, and defender Kyle Walker said: “It’s a massive win. We all knew that especially when these teams [fellow bottom half clubs] come to Turf Moor that we need to turn it into our game.
The FA and Lancashire Police are looking into claims Hannibal Mejbri spat at Leeds supporters. (Image: (Alex Livesey/Getty Images))
“They are coming to our home and we need to take three points. Full congratulations to the lads. They put an excellent shift in today and congratulations to Loum for his first Premier League goal – it was a cracker.”
When asked about Tchaouna, Walker revealed: “His finishing in training is unbelievable. He is still young and still developing and needs to learn the English game, but from what we’ve seen he has got the full potential to go all the way.
“We don’t call them subs, we call them finishers. That is what they come on to do. They come on to finish the game and they’ve got a job to do.
“We are a team of 25 men in the dressing room, it’s not just about the 11 that start the game.”
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