Preston Striker Milutin Osmajic Receives Eight-Match Ban and £15,000 Fine for Biting Incident
In a dramatic turn of events, Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic has been hit with an eight-match ban and a hefty £15,000 fine for biting Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck during a Sky Bet Championship match on September 22, 2024. The incident, which occurred late in the goalless Lancashire derby at Deepdale, has stirred significant controversy in the football world, especially considering its unusual nature.
The bite was reportedly delivered around the 87th minute, following a heated exchange between the players, yet it went unnoticed by the match officials. However, the aftermath was far from quiet. Blackburn manager John Eustace revealed in his post-match press conference that Beck had shown his teammates a "big bite mark" on the back of his neck. Beck, visibly shaken by the incident, remained subdued afterward, highlighting the impact it had on him emotionally.
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Though the referee missed the biting during the game, the Football Association (FA) conducted a review and charged Osmajic with violent conduct. The striker admitted to the act, leading to a regulatory commission imposing the eight-match suspension and fine. The FA will release the full written reasons for the decision in due course, but for now, Osmajic will be sidelined until late November.
Interestingly, despite his misconduct, Osmajic remains a key figure for his national team, Montenegro. He has been called up for their upcoming Nations League fixture against Wales on October 14, where he may again face Beck, setting the stage for a tense reunion.
For Preston, this suspension is a significant blow, as Osmajic had been in fine form, scoring twice in a recent 3-0 victory over Watford. His absence will be keenly felt by manager Paul Heckingbottom, especially with the team's current league struggles. The incident draws comparisons to the infamous Luis Suárez biting episode in 2013, which also shocked the football world. Although Suárez received a 10-match ban, Osmajic’s punishment still sends a strong message about the seriousness of such actions in professional football.
This incident leaves a dark mark on what has been a promising season for Osmajic, and it will be interesting to see how he responds both on and off the pitch after serving his ban.
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