What should have been a routine Championship fixture quickly spiralled into chaos, with Preston North End once again finding themselves answering uncomfortable questions about one of their own.
As frustration boiled over late in the game, Milutin Osmajic became the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons — and this time, even his manager had little sympathy left to give.
Headbutt Sparks Immediate Red Card Drama
With Preston already 3–0 down to Hull City in stoppage time, tempers flared between Osmajic and Hull midfielder John Lundstram.
What began as some pushing soon escalated, drawing players from both sides and referee Stephen Martin into the scene.
Then came the flashpoint. Osmajic leaned in and headbutted Lundstram right in front of the official.
There was no hesitation from the referee, who swiftly produced a red card and ushered the striker away from the growing crowd.
Osmajic initially appeared to smile after being dismissed, before pulling his shirt over his face as he headed down the tunnel.
Another Ban Looms for a Familiar Offence
The headbutt is expected to land Osmajic with an automatic three-match suspension for violent conduct.
The incident also triggered a wider melee, resulting in one member of staff from each club being sent off.
If the ban is confirmed, it will push Osmajic’s total number of missed games through suspension to a staggering 20 matches across the last two seasons — an extraordinary figure for any professional footballer.
A Troubled Disciplinary History
This latest red card only adds to an already troubling record.
Last season, Osmajic served an eight-match ban for biting Blackburn defender Owen Beck.
In November, he was hit with a nine-match suspension after being found guilty of racially abusing Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri during a Championship match the previous year.
Although Osmajic denied that allegation, a Regulatory Commission ruled the charge proven.
The punishment included a lengthy ban, a £21,000 fine, and mandatory education.
Preston publicly expressed disappointment at the time but pledged their support for the player.
Heckingbottom Pulls No Punches
Just four games after returning from that racial abuse suspension, Osmajic’s latest lapse clearly tested the patience of Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Heckingbottom admitted the striker had let the club down.
While he noted the sending-off didn’t directly cost Preston the match, he stressed that losing a key striker ahead of crucial fixtures was unacceptable.
Heckingbottom was particularly blunt about Osmajic’s lack of discipline, pointing out that missing 20 matches during his tenure would be indefensible.
He also drew a clear line between aggressive actions meant to help the team and reckless behaviour that harms it.
According to the Preston boss, professionalism isn’t limited to matchday decisions — it extends to conduct on the pitch, in training, and away from the spotlight.
In his view, Osmajic has simply failed to learn that lesson.
Goals Scored, Opportunities Wasted
From a footballing perspective, Osmajic’s numbers tell a more positive story.
Since joining Preston in 2023, the Montenegro international has scored 28 goals in 96 appearances, including five goals in 15 Championship matches this season.
Yet those contributions now feel overshadowed by repeated disciplinary lapses that continue to derail both his own momentum and the club’s plans.
Big Matches Missed at a Critical Time
With another suspension expected, Osmajic is set to miss key fixtures against promotion contenders Middlesbrough and Ipswich — currently third and second in the table — as well as a match against Portsmouth.
Those absences come at a delicate moment for Preston, who sit sixth in the Championship play-off places but were dealt a setback by Hull’s emphatic 3–0 win at Deepdale.
Hull Take Advantage as Preston Look Ahead
Hull City made full use of Preston’s unraveling, with goals from Liam Millar, Akin Famewo, and Oli McBurnie lifting the Tigers up to fourth in the table.
For Preston, the focus now shifts to damage control — both on the pitch and behind the scenes — as they try to keep their promotion push alive while once again coping without a striker whose talent continues to be undermined by poor discipline.
What Comes Next?
As Osmajic waits for confirmation of his latest punishment, Preston face a familiar dilemma: how long can a club chasing promotion afford to carry a player whose disciplinary record keeps costing them when it matters most?
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