September 27 – Preston North End forward Milutin Osmajic has been charged by the Football Association with violent conduct after allegedly biting Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck.
The incident occurred late in the goalless draw after Beck, who is on loan from Liverpool, kicked out at Duane Holmes 89 minutes into Sunday’s Lancashire derby at Preston’s Deepdale Stadium, causing a scuffle between the two sides as tension reached its peak.
Osmajic appeared to bite the Blackburn defender on the back of the neck during the altercation, but dodged a red card as Beck as was sent off for his involvement, while Osmajic was only booked with a yellow.
Television replays appeared to show 25-year-old Osmajic had bitten Beck on his upper back. The Montenegro international has until September 30 to respond to the FA’s charge.
Beck was seen visibly complaining to referee Matt Donohue immediately after the incident.
Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez faced a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in 2013 – a punishment that could be replicated following the latest incident of biting.
Speaking on the incident, Blackburn manager John Eustace said after Sunday’s game: “[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 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 added.
“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.”
Osmajic has played a bit-part role for Preston this season and is yet to score across his five appearances in the Championship so far. It’s in the EFL Cup that the 25-year-old has proved useful, tallying three goals in as many games, and starting in Preston’s penalty shootout victory over Fulham in round three.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734930500labto1734930500ofdlr1734930500owedi1734930500sni@g1734930500niwe.1734930500yrrah1734930500