The Football Association in England banned Preston North End striker Milutin Osmajic for eight matches and handed him a £15,000 fine for biting Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck.

“Preston North End’s Milutin Osmajic has been given an eight-match suspension and £15,000 fine for misconduct during the match against Blackburn Rovers,” the FA said in a statement on Friday. “The forward admitted that he committed an act of violent conduct around the 87th minute by biting an opponent.”

The FA said the sanction was meted out on the player by an independent regulatory commission after a hearing.

During both side’s championship encounter on September 22, 2024, the Blackburn defender had already been given his marching orders for kicking out at Preston’s Duane Holmes when referee Matthew Donohue booked Osmajic for his reaction.

After the match, the Blackburn Manager, John Eustace, revealed that Beck, a 25-year-old Montenegro player, was bitten by Osjamic, saying, “He’s 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.”

Responding to the sanction of its player, the Lilywhites, in a statement, said Osmajic admitted to the violent conduct in the match and won’t be selected for any match until November 23, 2024.

The statement read, “Preston North End acknowledge the decision of an independent Regulatory Commission to give Milutin Osmajić an eight-match suspension and fine the striker £15,000.

“The Montenegro international has been sanctioned after admitting he had committed an act of violent conduct around the 87th minute of the recent Championship match against Blackburn Rovers. The suspension means Milutin will be unavailable for selection until Saturday, November 23, for the home clash with Derby County.”