The Football Association (FA) is investigating after Blackburn Rovers left-back Owen Beck accused Preston North End forward Milutin Osmajic of biting him.
The incident occurred in the 87th minute of Sunday’s Championship fixture between the two Lancashire clubs after Beck, on loan at Blackburn from Liverpool, kicked Duane Holmes after he swung a leg to try and clear the ball as Preston attempted to take a quick free kick, sparking a confrontation between the two teams.
Osmajic, 25, who had been fouled by Todd Cantwell to win the initial free kick, rose to his feet and grabbed Beck under each arm before appearing to make contact with the back of the defender’s neck with his face. It is unclear whether Osmajic’s teeth made contact with Beck.
Beck was then seen telling assistant referee Matthew Jones, “He bit me” as the Blackburn player attempted to show the official his neck. Referee Matthew Donohue sent Beck off for the challenge on Holmes, while Osmajic was shown a yellow card following the coming together.
Blackburn head coach John Eustace alleged after the game Osmajic had “taken a big chunk out of his neck”.
“That’s what happens in local derbies, emotions get very high,” Eustace told Sky Sports. “You can see from the television pictures the kid (Osmajic) has taken a big chunk out of his neck so, you know, it’s part of being in the derby I suppose.”
(Gary Oakley/Getty Images)
The Liverpool loanee could be seen reiterating his accusation towards Donohue and gesturing to the back of his neck as he was shown a red card. It was the first sending off of 22-year-old Beck’s senior career.
Asked about the incident by Sky Sports, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom said: “I’ve just been told there’s a claim of a bite from Milly (Osmajic) so we’ll have to see what happens regarding that. Whether there is or not, I’m commenting on something that I’ve been told happened, you know what I mean, what I’m not aware of, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Athletic has contacted Preston for further comment on the incident.
Sunday’s fixture ended in a goalless draw, with Preston’s Sam Greenwood also sent off in the first half for a high challenge on Lewis Baker.
The result leaves Blackburn fourth in the Championship and Preston 21st.
(Top photo: Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images)
