Championship manager hit with ‘top-of-the-scale’ punishment after EFL statement – Ex-refs chief
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom has to make sure he does not repeat the abusive or insulting words which have landed him in hot water with the EFL.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the North End boss has to tread carefully after being hit with a lengthy three-match touchline ban for an incident at Watford last month.
Heckingbottom‘s side have impressed this season, with 32 points from their 20 league games so far to sit in fifth place in the Championship as it stands.
Preston have lost just once in their previous nine outings, and are aiming to consolidate themselves in the top six with a win at struggling Oxford United on Saturday (13 December) afternoon.
They will have to face the game without Heckingbottom in charge, however, as well as fixtures against Norwich City and Stoke City, after he was handed a touchline ban by the EFL on Friday (12 December).
Heckingbottom given three-match ban for pre-match Watford incident with official
Heckingbottom has a recent history of EFL sanctions, having been hit with a two-match suspension in February for an incident at Watford and another in May after being sent off against Hull City.
His conduct has seemingly not changed despite the Lilywhites’ improved form this season, with the 48-year-old now handed a three-match suspension which will see him return to the dugout on 29 December.
It was alleged that Heckingbottom “acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official” in a pre-match briefing before Preston’s clash against the Hornets in November.
They were held to a draw at Vicarage Road that day, as Mamadou Doumbia cancelled out Daniel Jebbison’s opener, and the onus will now be on assistant boss Stuart McCall to step up and take the reins until Preston face Wrexham just before the turn of the year.
Hackett warns Heckingbottom to ‘refrain’ from abusive language after harsh punishment
Heckingbottom is a repeat offender when it comes to this kind of thing, so it is no surprise to the EFL make an example out of him, considering this is the third time he has been sanctioned in 2025.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett issued a warning to the Lilywhites boss to stop such behaviour, as he runs the risk of even harsher bans in the future.
“It appears from the statement that comments by the manager pre-match were the reason for the ban and fine, which appear to be at the top end of the scale.
“I hope that this manager, who does wear his heart on his sleeve, will refrain from making comments in the future.”