The Football Association has commenced an investigation into allegations that Preston North End’s Milutin Osmajic bit Blackburn Rovers’ Owen Beck during their clash on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Osmajic appeared to bite Beck on the back of the neck during a fracas that erupted after the latter kicked out at Duane Holmes in the dying embers of their meeting last Sunday.
Owen Beck, on loan from English giants Liverpool, was dismissed in the 89th minute for his troubles, with Milutin Osmajic being brandished a yellow card.
Following the brawl that occurred that resulted in Beck being handed his marching orders, the Welshman furiously protested to referee Matthew Donohue that he had been bitten by Osmajic, but the referee apparently turned a blind eye to it as he didn’t see it.
The encounter involving Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers ended in a 0-0 draw, with the former also going a man down in the 42nd minute after Sam Greenwood was dismissed for a reckless tackle on Lewis Baker.
What Punishment Could Be Meted Out To Milutin Osmajic If Found Guilty?
Reports indicate that Milutin Osmajic could receive a lengthy ban if found guilty of biting Owen Beck, with his punishment expected to be similar to that which Uruguayan great and ex-Liverpool forward Luis Suarez received in 2013.
Suarez was slammed with a 10-man ban for biting the Serbian former footballer during an encounter involving Chelsea and Liverpool.
The FA disclosed on Monday, September 24, 2024, that they were “aware of this incident and will be looking into it”.
The Football Association is expected to contact the players involved and the two Lancashire clubs.
Speaking after the encounter, Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace expressed that it was a shame that the referee missed when Milutin Osmajic bit Owen Beck.
He said: “Owen’s got a big bite mark on the back of his neck and it’s a shame the referee didn’t see that.”
Preston North End Boss Paul Heckingbottom Gives Stern Comments On The Incident Involving Milutin Osmajic And Owen Beck
Paul Heckingbottom, who is the manager of Preston North London, also shared that he had not seen the incident but indicated sternly that there is no place for “biting” in football.
He said: “All I can say is, there no place for that [biting] and we know you can’t do that. Mistimed tackles and things like that are part and parcel of the game, you accept them.
“Anything that’s not, we know how that’s dealt with. But I’ve not seen anything so I’m just going off the media saying there’s an incident.”
Milutin Osmajic
Milutin Osmajic joined Preston North End from Cadiz on September 1, 2023, for a club-record fee of €2.5 million.
The Montenegro international has made 45 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals and providing 2 assists in all competitions.
The 25-year-old has played for several clubs in his career, including FC Vizela, FK Sutjeska Niksic, and Bandirmaspor.
Osmajic, who was born on July 25, 1999, has won 2 Montenegrin league titles.
Owen Beck
The Wales International completed a season-long loan move to Blackburn Rovers from Liverpool on August 27, 2024.
Beck, 22, has made just 3 appearances for Rovers, scoring no goal and providing no assists in all competitions.
Owen Beck has represented several clubs in his career, including Dundee FC, Bolton Wanderers, and FC Famalicão.
Beck, who was born on August 9, 2002, has won several trophies in his career, including; 2 EFL Cup titles and 1 FA Cup.
