Preston North End forward Milutin Osmajic has been given an eight-match suspension and fined £15,000 for biting Blackburn Rovers left-back Owen Beck during a Championship match.
The incident occurred in the 87th minute of the game between the two Lancashire clubs on September 22 after Beck, on loan at Blackburn from Liverpool, kicked Duane Holmes after he swung a leg to try and clear the ball as Preston attempted to take a quick free kick, sparking a confrontation between the two teams.
Osmajic, 25, who had been fouled by Todd Cantwell to win the initial free kick, rose to his feet and grabbed Beck under each arm before appearing to make contact with the back of the defender’s neck with his face.
It was unclear from images whether Osmajic’s teeth made contact with Beck but an independent regulatory commission made the decision following an investigation into the incident with its findings published on Friday.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) October 4, 2024
Beck was then seen telling assistant referee Matthew Jones, “He bit me” as the Blackburn player attempted to show the official his neck. Referee Matthew Donohue sent Beck off for the challenge on Holmes, while Osmajic was shown a yellow card following the coming together.
After the match, Blackburn head coach John Eustace said Osmajic had “taken a big chunk out of his (Beck’s) neck” while Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom claimed after the game that he had not seen the incident.
Preston — who are 21st in the Championship, one place above the relegation zone — will be without Osmajic will be suspended for the next eight matches, with his return to availability set to be the match at home to Derby County on November 23.
Montenegro forward Milutin Osmajic has scored two goals, both in the midweek win at home against Watford, in seven Championship matches this season.
(Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images)
