Footballer gets Ban for Bitting Opponent on the Neck.
Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic has been handed an eight-match suspension following a biting incident involving Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck during last month’s EFL Championship fixture, which ended in a 0-0 draw at Deepdale.
The Montenegro international was found guilty of biting Beck on the shoulder, leaving visible teeth marks. Osmajic escaped punishment during the match as referee Matt Donohue did not witness the incident. Instead, Donohue sent off Beck for retaliating by kicking Preston midfielder Duane Holmes after the bite.
In a statement released on Friday, October 4, the Football Association (FA) confirmed Osmajic’s suspension and a £15,000 fine for violent conduct. The FA stated: “Preston North End’s Milutin Osmajic has been given an eight-match suspension and £15,000 fine for misconduct during their match against Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship on Sunday 22 September.”
The FA added that Osmajic admitted to committing the act in the 87th minute of the game, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed the punishment following a hearing. “Its written reasons will be published in due course,” the FA concluded.
The incident saw Owen Beck, who had kicked Holmes in response to the biting, receive a three-match ban for his act of violent conduct. Beck has already served two of his suspension matches, missing Blackburn’s clashes against Queens Park Rangers and Coventry City.
In response to Osmajic’s punishment, Preston North End issued a brief statement: “The club acknowledges the decision and will not be making any further comment until the written reasons are published.”
Beck’s sending-off came after tensions flared when Yuki Ohashi fouled Osmajic, leading to the altercation between the players.