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

Milutin Osmajic Faces Eight-Match Ban for Biting Incident

In a shocking turn of events during a Championship match on September 22, Preston North End's striker Milutin Osmajic has been handed an eight-match suspension and a £15,000 fine for biting Blackburn defender Owen Beck. The incident occurred late in the game after tensions escalated.

Match Incident Breakdown

The clash between Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers took a dramatic turn when Beck received a straight red card for kicking out at Preston's Duane Holmes. Following this, Osmajic reacted to the situation and was subsequently booked by referee Matthew Donohue. It was during this chaos that Beck claimed to have been bitten, a statement later corroborated by his manager, John Eustace.

Manager's Comments

After the game, Eustace stated that Beck showed the players the bite mark on the back of his neck, revealing the psychological impact of the incident: "He's a little bit quiet, a little bit shook up," he mentioned, shedding light on the emotional aftermath of the incident.

FA's Official Statement

The Football Association (FA) confirmed the sanctions against Osmajic in a statement released on Friday morning. It read: "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. The forward admitted that he committed an act of violent conduct around the 87th minute by biting an opponent. An independent Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a hearing."

Preston North End's Response

In response to the FA's ruling, Preston North End released their own statement acknowledging the decision and confirming Osmajic's suspension until November 23, when the team is set to face Derby County at home. They stated, "PNE will be making no further comment until the independent Regulatory Commission's written reasons have been published." This ensures that the club aligns with protocols post-disciplinary actions.

Analysis of the Incident

Sky Sports pundit Sue Smith described the incident as "absolutely bizarre," likening it to Luis Suarez's infamous biting incidents. Such actions raise questions about player behavior and the regulations in place to maintain sportsmanship in football.

Fixtures Osmajic Will Miss

• vs. Cardiff City - October 21
• vs. Watford - October 28
• vs. Sunderland - November 4
• vs. Leicester City - November 11
• vs. Stoke City - November 14
• vs. Southampton - November 18
• vs. West Bromwich Albion - November 22

This biting incident has stirred significant discussion about player responsibility and keeping the integrity of the sport intact. It remains to be seen how this will affect Osmajic's career and Preston North End's performance in upcoming matches.