It was his third ban in 16 months, taking his total games missed to 20 after previous incidents including biting
Milutin Osmajic already carried a questionable reputation before he delivered a headbutt to an opponent’s nose on Tuesday evening. Now his notoriety has reached such levels that his future in English football faces genuine uncertainty.
Preston North End were trailing 3-0 in the 95th minute and facing a third consecutive home defeat without finding the net in just 12 days when Osmajic launched a deliberate headbutt at Hull City midfielder John Lundstram. He received his marching orders amid heated scenes at the match’s conclusion and will now serve a three-game suspension.
This isn’t the Montenegro international’s first transgression. Indeed, if he receives the anticipated three-match ban from the FA, that would bring his total to 20 games missed for disciplinary issues within the past 16 months.
Despite their recent setbacks, Preston sit sixth in the Championship and remain in contention for Premier League promotion. Unsurprisingly, North End manager Paul Heckingbottom was furious when addressing the media afterwards regarding his striker, who has netted five goals in 15 league appearances this campaign.
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When BBC Radio Lancashire enquired whether he was running out of opportunities, Heckingbottom responded pointedly: “Do you think I’d say that to you? Worth asking..”
He branded Osmajic’s lack of discipline as “totally unacceptable” and continued: “He’s not learnt his lesson. The issues are totally unconnected in terms of football. But in terms of other things, they’re professional footballers and there’s a way to act, regardless of if that’s a tackle on the pitch, discipline away from the training ground – there’s a way to be professional.”
Former Preston goalkeeper Alan Kelly was providing co-commentary for BBC Radio Lancashire and remarked: “He’s let his team down, he’s let the club down, because everybody here has done everything in their power to protect him and, out of nowhere, he puts the head in on a Hull player. He’s got to realise that with his reputation now that he’s not going to get away with it.”
Suspension after suspension
Preston snapped up Osmajic from Spanish outfit Cadiz in September 2023 for a club-record sum of around £2million. He boasts 28 goals and five assists across 96 appearances, yet should he depart today, his stint at the club would not be remembered for his prowess in front of goal.
The 26-year-old’s disciplinary troubles began in September 2024 when he faced accusations of biting Blackburn Rovers player Owen Beck’s neck. He escaped a red card on that occasion but was later hit with an eight-match suspension and slapped with a £15,000 fine by the FA.
Osmajic had barely finished his previous ban when he was accused of racially abusing Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri. “I will always call out racism whenever I hear or see it,” the ex-Manchester United star posted on social media.
“That is the only way we change as a sport and a society. I am a strong person but nobody should have to experience this disgusting abuse on the pitch.”
Osmajic refuted the allegations and Preston backed him. However, the FA handed down a nine-match ban, a £21,000 fine and required the striker to attend a compulsory education course.
Preston expressed their “extreme disappointment” with the decision, stating: “We note that the outcome was determined on the ‘Balance of Probabilities’ rather than one that is ‘Beyond Reasonable Doubt’. We also note that The FA determined that this decision offers no moral judgement, was not premeditated nor any comment about his general character. Milutin has always pleaded his innocence of the charge and continues to do so. We continue to be fully supportive of our player.”
This time, there could be no defence. Osmajic’s contract at Preston lasts until June 2027, but his future has been cast into doubt by the latest transgression.
‘Out of chances’
Olly Dawes from Deepdale Digest has provided the fan perspective on the controversy….
The latest drama around Milutin Osmajic is an enormous disappointment, but comes as little surprise to North End fans. For all of Osmajic’s goalscoring talent, he has become a searing headache over the last 18 months, and this latest episode is the final straw for many supporters.
The club stood by Osmajic through the unsavoury biting ban, and continued to back him after the incident with Hannibal Mejbri. For Osmajic to put himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons yet again, just a matter of games after his return from suspension, is a real kick in the teeth… or perhaps a bite in the neck.
Many fans have now had enough and seen enough, but how this ends is anybody’s guess. Osmajic still has 18 months left on his contract, and his market value is plummeting with every indiscretion.
Some want Osmajic sold, but how? Will anyone out there want to take a chance on a player whose tally of goals only just eclipses his number of games missed through suspension?
It’s difficult to see North End sacking Osmajic. Let’s not forget that the Montenegrin striker is PNE’s record signing at just over £2m. That may not sound like a significant price tag at Championship level, but it is to PNE.
The clock is ticking in the January transfer window, and few would blame North End for calling clubs and agents all over the world in an effort to offload Osmajic. Whether anybody bites on that proposal – pun intended – remains to be seen, but Osmajic finally appears to be out of chances at Deepdale.