Rivalry matches can bring out the best in teams, but sometimes they can also bring out the worst. What Preston North End vs. Blackburn Rovers missed out on goals, but made up for it with red cards and a possible biting incident. In the 89th minute of play, Preston striker Milutin Osmajic collided with Blackburn left back Owen Beck. Beck was shown a red card for the challenge, but then Osmajic seemed to bite Beck’s neck.
Osmajic was shown a yellow card for his conduct, but if the incident turns out to have been a bite, he could be eligible for a ban from the Football Association, which are investigating, according to reports.
“He went to clear the ball and caught the boy, but he has a large bite wound on the back of his neck. It’s a shame the referee didn’t see that.” Blackburn manager Eustace said. “He has shown all the boys. He is very disappointed that he is sent off, but he obviously does not want that on his neck. He is a bit quiet, a bit shocked.”
Luis Suarez was banned for four months by FIFA for biting Italian Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup, but the Uruguayan was handed a 10-match ban from Premier League matches for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. Further down the pyramid, Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Joss Labadie was banned for six months by the FA for biting another player, showing that quite a bit can happen to Osmajic if it turns out he has bitten Beck.
“All I can say is there’s no room for it [biting]said Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom. “Bad tackles, those kinds of things are part of the game, you accept them, anything that isn’t has to be addressed.”
Both teams ended up with 10 men in the heated match as tensions were high, but more could be added once the FA has a chance to review the incident.