Owen Beck, on loan from Liverpool, found himself at the center of a controversial incident during Blackburn Rovers’ recent 1-1 draw against Preston North End.
The dramatic clash, which unfolded at Deepdale, saw Beck seemingly bitten by Preston forward Milutin Osmajic in the final moments of a heated Lancashire derby.
This unexpected incident has overshadowed the match itself, leaving fans, players, and officials in shock.Beck, who has quickly established himself as a key player for Blackburn since joining the Championship club for the season, was making his third consecutive start. The young left-back has impressed with his performances, contributing to Blackburn’s efforts in their campaign.
However, his solid display on Sunday was marred by a series of events that began with a clash involving Preston’s Duane Holmes.In the dying minutes of the match, Beck was involved in an altercation with Holmes that led to a melee between players from both sides.
Amidst the chaos, Beck was shown a red card for his role in the scuffle, which seemed to stem from his attempt to clear the ball. As Beck was preparing to leave the pitch, television replays revealed something far more shocking – it appeared that Osmajic had bitten him during the fracas.The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with many calling for the FA to take swift action.
While Beck will now have to serve a three-match suspension due to his red card, attention has shifted to the potential repercussions for Osmajic, whose actions could see him facing a lengthy ban. The FA is expected to review the footage carefully, and Osmajic could be handed a severe punishment if found guilty of such unsportsmanlike conduct.
John Eustace, the Blackburn Rovers manager, expressed his dismay over the situation when speaking to Sky Sports after the match. He acknowledged the intensity of local derbies but highlighted the severity of what transpired. “Emotions run high in these kinds of games, but what we saw today crossed the line,” Eustace stated.
You can see from the television pictures that there’s a clear bite mark on Owen’s neck. It’s just unacceptable behavior, even in the heat of a derby.”Eustace went on to explain that Beck was dismissed for his challenge on Holmes, which he described as an unfortunate misjudgment. “Owen tried to kick the ball away, and the other lad [Holmes] made a lot of it,” Eustace noted.
It’s a tough call, and we’re really disappointed to lose him for three games. But what’s more concerning is what happened after that.”The Blackburn boss also shared his concerns for Beck’s well-being following the incident.
He’s understandably shaken up. He’s shown the lads the bite mark on the back of his neck, and it’s not something you expect to see on a football pitch,” Eustace said.
He’s a bit quiet and upset in the dressing room. Nobody likes to be bitten, it’s a serious matter, and I hope the right people look at it and take the necessary action.
Eustace’s comments were echoed by others within the football community, who have called for a thorough investigation into the incident. Biting has been a rare but highly controversial issue in football, with notable cases in the past receiving significant media attention and resulting in harsh penalties for those involved.
If Osmajic is found guilty, he could face a ban far more severe than the three-match suspension handed to Beck.The incident also raises questions about the role of the match officials and the use of VAR in such situations.
While the referee was quick to show Beck the red card for his involvement in the altercation, the alleged bite went unnoticed until after the match.
This has led to calls for better oversight and more effective use of technology to ensure that serious incidents like this are not overlooked.As things stand, Beck will miss Blackburn’s next three matches, a significant blow for a player who has been a consistent presence in the team.
Meanwhile, Preston North End could find themselves without Osmajic for an even longer period, depending on the outcome of the FA’s review.
This unsavory episode has marred what was otherwise a closely contested derby, and the fallout is likely to continue for some time as the footballing world awaits the FA’s verdict.
In the wake of this incident, Blackburn will be looking to regroup and support Beck as he deals with the aftermath of a distressing experience. For now, all eyes are on the FA as they decide the appropriate course of action.
The hope is that justice will be served, and that such behavior will be firmly addressed to prevent any recurrence in the future.
