In a recent match between Preston and Blackburn in England's second division, a controversial incident occurred that has resulted in a player being suspended and fined. Preston's Milutin Osmajic has been handed an eight-match suspension and fined 15,000 pounds (approximately $20,000) for biting Blackburn defender Owen Beck during the game on September 22.
Osmajic admitted to an act of violent conduct by biting Beck late in the game, although he was not sent off by the referee despite Beck's claims of being bitten. The English Football Association announced on Friday that the sanction was imposed due to misconduct.
Blackburn manager John Eustace expressed concern for Beck, who was visibly shaken after the clash with Osmajic. The incident involved Osmajic biting the back of Beck's neck, adding to the heated atmosphere of the local rivalry match between Preston and Blackburn.
The game, which ended in a 0-0 draw, saw one player from each team being sent off. Beck received a red card for kicking out at Preston's Duane Holmes, leading to the biting incident in the ensuing commotion.
Preston has refrained from commenting on the decision until the written reasons for the punishment are released. Manager Paul Heckingbottom emphasized that such behavior has no place in the sport, stating that while mistimed tackles are accepted, actions like biting must be addressed.
Osmajic will be ineligible for selection until his team's game against Derby on November 23. This incident brings back memories of previous biting controversies in soccer, such as former player Luis Suarez receiving a 10-match ban in 2013 for biting an opponent and a subsequent four-month ban for a similar incident during the 2014 World Cup.
Such acts of violence continue to tarnish the reputation of the sport and highlight the need for strict disciplinary measures to maintain the integrity of soccer.
Source: AP soccer
