Preston star who bit Liverpool loanee slapped with 8-game ban

Preston's Milutin Osmajic has been handed an eight-match suspension

The 25-year-old bit defender Owen Beck, who is currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers. Beck was sent off in the 87th minute for kicking out at Duane Holmes, which sparked a confrontation, while Osmajic escaped punishment during the match.

Osmajic, a Montenegrin striker, had initially been fouled by Todd Cantwell, and Beck caught Holmes when attempting to clear the ball. Osmajic then got up and grabbed Beck under the arms before appearing to make contact with his opponent's neck with his face.

Beck was later seen telling referee Matthew Donohue 'he bit me'. Following an investigation, Osmajic has now received his punishment in the form of a ban and a fine.

Luis Suarez received a 10-match ban when he bit Branislav Ivanovic in April 2014 while playing for Liverpool against Chelsea. On that occasion, Suarez claimed he did not warrant more than a three-match ban for violent conduct.

The FA stated: "Preston North End's Milutin Osmajic has been given an eight-match suspension and £15,000 fine for misconduct during their match against Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship on Sunday 22 September. The forward admitted that he committed an act of violent conduct around the 87th minute by biting an opponent.

"An independent Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a hearing. Its written reasons will be published in due course."

Preston North End issued a brief statement regarding Milutin Osmajic, noting: "We acknowledge the decision of an independent Regulatory Commission to give Milutin Osmajic an eight-match suspension and fine the striker £15,000."

Despite the ongoing investigation, Osmajic has been active on the pitch, netting two goals against Watford on Wednesday. Preston's manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed his stance on not imposing additional sanctions on his player.

"He scored goals for us in the cup (a hat-trick in a 5-0 Carabao Cup second-round win at Harrogate), played well again against Fulham (in the next round) and deserved his opportunity," Heckingbottom commented.

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"I'm not going to punish him twice, me twice, the club twice, the fans twice. We'll wait and see what the governing body does, and how we deal with that, and that process is ongoing.

"He deserved his chance. We don't know the outcome, but he's probably not going to be available at the weekend (when Preston go to Burnley )."

"It would have been the same decision anyway, but with the quick turnaround and the probability he will be missing, it just means it makes sense to not put anyone else in the firing line, and luckily it was the right call tonight."