Preston striker handed eight match ban and fine for biting opponent

Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic has been handed an eight-match ban and fined £15,000 after admitting to biting Blackburn defender Owen Beck during a recent Championship clash.

The incident, which occurred on September 22, went unnoticed by the match officials but has since sparked significant controversy in the football community.

A spokesperson for the Football Association confirmed that Osmajic committed "an act of violent conduct" late in the game, specifically around the 87th minute, during a tense moment that also saw Beck sent off for kicking out at Preston's Duane Holmes.

Following the match, Blackburn manager John Eustace revealed the aftermath of the incident, stating, “[Beck has] 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.”

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom condemned the act, declaring, “There’s no place for [biting]” in football, emphasizing the need for sportsmanship and respect on the pitch.

Osmajic, who joined Preston last year for what was reported to be a club-record fee, has shown flashes of brilliance in his performances, recently scoring twice in a 3-0 victory against Watford. However, this disciplinary action casts a shadow over his growing reputation.

The biting incident draws parallels to previous cases in football, most notably that of Luis Suárez, who received a 10-match ban in 2013 for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

Such actions have historically led to serious consequences and serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism in competitive sports.

The ban and fine will serve as a lesson to the Preston striker that there is indeed no place for biting in football.