Milutin Osmajic Receives Eight-Match Ban for Biting Incident Against Blackburn

In a shocking incident during a recent Championship match, Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic has been handed an eight-match ban and fined £15,000 for biting Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck. The altercation occurred late in the game on September 22, leading to a swift reaction from officials and a subsequent investigation by the FA.

What Happened During the Match?

Tempers flared towards the end of the match when Beck was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Preston’s Duane Holmes. In response, Osmajic reacted violently, resulting in a booking from referee Matthew Donohue.

Confirmation of the Incident

Following the match, Beck indicated that he had suffered a bite from Osmajic. Manager John Eustace corroborated this when he noted after the game, “He’s got a big bite mark on the back of his neck. He’s shown all the lads. He’s a little bit quiet, a little bit shook up.” His comments highlighted the seriousness of the incident.

FA’s Official Statement

On Friday morning, the FA released a statement confirming the decision made by an independent Regulatory Commission. The statement indicated, “Preston North End's Milutin Osmajic has been given an eight-match suspension and £15,000 fine for misconduct during the match against Blackburn Rovers.” It further elaborated that Osmajic had admitted to committing an act of violent conduct, which led to the sanctions following a hearing.

Response from Preston North End

Following the ruling, Preston North End also issued their own statement acknowledging the decision. They stated, “The Montenegro international has been sanctioned after admitting he had committed an act of violent conduct around the 87th minute.” They noted that Osmajic would be unavailable for selection until November 23, when they face Derby County at home.

Fixtures Osmajic Will Miss

• October 1: vs. Sheffield Wednesday
• October 8: vs. Cardiff City
• October 21: vs. QPR
• October 28: vs. Swansea City
• November 4: vs. Ipswich Town
• November 11: vs. Huddersfield Town
• November 18: vs. Millwall
• November 23: vs. Derby County (Availability resumes)

Conclusion

This incident has sparked discussions about sportsmanship and player conduct in professional football, reminding fans and players alike of the seriousness of violent actions during matches. As the league resumes, all eyes will be on how both Osmajic and Preston North End recover from this controversial situation.