Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has criticised Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic for his role in Illan Meslier’s red card this afternoon.
Leeds headed to Deepdale with few expecting a positive result for PNE.
Friday’s 2-1 defeat at Swansea City meant Ryan Lowe received the ‘dreaded’ vote of confidence.
Taking on a flying Leeds side seemed like a daunting prospect, especially just a few days after they smashed Ipswich Town 4-0.
PNE were right at it though and took the lead in the second half with Alan Browne heading home Liam Millar’s cross.
Leeds levelled it up with a soft penalty as Pascal Struijk stroked home a spot kick, but there was another twist in the tale.
The exceptional Millar produced a stunner to win it for PNE, cutting past Leeds defender before rifling a strike into the net.
Lowe will be delighted with a superb response and a committed performance from his players, but Leeds aren’t too pleased…
Daniel Farke criticises PNE striker Milutin Osmajic
The big moment came early in the second half as Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier was handed a straight red card.
Meslier clashed with Ben Whiteman, squaring up to the PNE midfielder before teammate Milutin Osmajic rushed in to push Meslier away.
The Frenchman inexplicably pushed Osmajic in the face, leading to his dismissal – and PNE struck the opening goal just minutes later.
Meslier getting involved in that situation was just ridiculous and PNE certainly took advantage after his dismissal.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke isn’t impressed with Osmajic though as the North End striker hit the deck and rolled around after being struck in the face by Meslier.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, Farke suggested that a reaction is just what Osmajic wanted and called on Meslier to be ‘smarter’.
Farke suggested that Osmajic ‘won’t win a fair play prize’ and accused him of diving, adding that he hates seeing things like this.
Farke even claims that he doesn’t think the incident was worthy of a red card, a suggestion which will baffle PNE supporters.
“The situation is obvious. He gets a knock from the first place. The second player who is nothing to do with it gives him a knock to provoke something. It’s just what he (Osmajic) wanted,” said Farke.
“He won’t win a fair play prize with his rolling around and diving. I hate this. But I more have to concentrate on what we could have done better. You could argue that we gave the referee a decision to make. He should be smarter. But I don’t think it’s a red card,” he added.
You simply can’t raise your hands to player’s faces in the modern game – everybody knows it and as soon as Meslier put his hands on Osmajic’s face, you knew what was coming.
Osmajic may have made the most of it but that doesn’t make it any less of a red card and Meslier only has himself to blame for being so aggravated by the Montenegrin.