September 24 – The English FA has launched an investigation into claims that Preston forward Milutin Osmajic bit Blackburn’s Owen Beck during their Championship match on Sunday.
The alleged incident occurred late in the goalless draw when a scuffle broke out following Beck’s kick at Duane Holmes, which took place 89 minutes into Sunday’s Lancashire derby at Deepdale.
Osmajic appeared to bite the Blackburn defender on the back of the neck during the altercation, but dodged a red card as Beck, currently on loan from Liverpool, was sent off for his involvement in the scuffle, while Osmajic was only booked with a yellow.
Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez faced a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in 2013 – a punishment that could be replicated should the FA deem Osmajic guilty.
“He’s got a big bite mark on the back of his neck,” Blackburn head coach John Eustace said.
“It’s a very serious incident, nobody likes to be bitten. Everyone is angry about it. It’s not a nice situation to be in. I’m sure the right people will see it and deal with it.”
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom said he had not seen the incident.
“All I can say is that there is no place for that and we know we can’t do that,” Heckingbottom said.
“Mistimed tackles, things like that are part and parcel of the game, you accept them. Anything that is not, we know how that’s dealt with.”
The FA has started its inquiries and is expected to contact the players involved and the two Lancashire clubs.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1727191618labto1727191618ofdlr1727191618owedi1727191618sni@g1727191618niwe.1727191618yrrah1727191618