Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic has received an eight-match suspension and a £15,000 fine for admitting to biting Liverpool loanee Owen Beck during a recent goalless Lancashire derby against Blackburn Rovers. Beck, who is on loan at Blackburn for the season, was sent off late in the match for kicking Duane Holmes.
The incident led to a scuffle, during which Osmajic reportedly bit Beck, provoking a strong reaction from the defender.
Osmajic received a yellow card for his role in the altercation, but the referees did not notice the biting incident.
Blackburn manager John Eustace commented after the match, saying, “Owen’s got a big bite mark on the back of his neck. It’s unfortunate the referee didn’t see that.”
The Football Association confirmed Osmajic’s punishment, stating that he admitted to an act of violent conduct in the 87th minute.
An independent regulatory commission determined his sanctions, with written reasons to follow.
In a statement, Preston North End acknowledged the decision and stated that Osmajic’s suspension means he will be unavailable until the home match against Derby County on November 23. They also noted that they would not comment further until the commission’s written reasons are released.
Osmajic’s ban is shorter than the 10-game suspension that former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez received in 2013 for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. The club expressed shock and disappointment over the severity of that FA decision.
Beck, who is the great-nephew of Ian Rush, has been a regular starter for Blackburn since joining on loan from Liverpool.
He is expected to return from his red card suspension for this weekend’s match against Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle.
