When Hannibal Mejbri could head to Elland Road to face up to Leeds fans once again
Hannibal Mejbri’s spitting allegations have been taken to a new level after the FA charged him on Tuesday.
Mejbri could face a 12-match ban after he allegedly spat at the Leeds supporters in the 67th minute of their clash at Turf Moor on 18 October.
Burnley beat Leeds 2-0, with goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna condemning the Peacocks to another defeat on the road.
The fallout from Mejbri’s incident means that there is a chance he would still be available for Leeds’ return match against the Clarets at Elland Road.
Hannibal Mejbri’s trial may not take place for months
A hearing won’t be held for a while, and whilst that date is unclear, there are concerns that the punishment won’t be issued in the next six months.
After Lancashire Police investigated the allegations surrounding Mejbri, he was charged with misconduct by the FA for breaching the laws of the game.
The most matches a player has been banned for after a spitting offence is seven games, when Papiss Cisse was involved in an incident with Jonny Evans in 2010.
If Mejbri were to be found guilty, then a 12-match ban has been touted as the possible punishment, although there are concerns over when the trial may take place.
The full course of the investigation will need to be carried through, and not only will it take time, but there’s the possibility that he could be available for Leeds’ next match against Burnley.
If Mejbri isn’t punished within the next few months, then he will be eligible for the relegation six-pointer that will take place at the end of the season.
When Hannibal Mejbri could face Leeds again
Mejbri will definitely be subjected to abuse from Leeds fans should he feature in their next meeting in the Premier League.
Burnley travel to Elland Road on 2 May, and the game could be an emotionally charged affair for many different reasons.
With both likely sides battling relegation, Mejbri’s potential inclusion in the fixture would add another level of spice to what could be a crucial game at the end of the season.
It’s unclear how long it will take before he is rightfully sanctioned, but if he does feature in the Elland Road clash, then it will undoubtedly be one of the most fiery matches Leeds are involved in this season.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Leeds United news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @motleedsnews