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October 5th , 2024

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Raymond Mensah

17 hours ago

FOOTBALLER HANDED HUGE BAN AS HE ADMITS TO BITTING OPPONENT ON THE NECK

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Sports

17 hours ago



Preston forward Milutin Osmajic has been hit with an eight-match ban following his bite on Blackburn's Owen Beck.

Montenegro international Osmajic left teeth marks on the shoulder of Rovers defender Owen Beck but escaped a red card as referee Matt Donohue had not seen the biting take place during last month's 0-0 draw at Deepdale.

 

Donohue actually sent off Beck, who had kicked Duane Holmes after the incident.

For his act of violent conduct, Beck was hit with a three-match ban and he has already missed Blackburn's games against QPR and Coventry.

 

On Friday, October 4, Osmajic was also found guilty of violent conduct by the Football Association. His ban is significantly longer than Beck's due to the severity of the offence.

A statement from the FA issued on Friday morning read: '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 issued a statement with the Championship club 'acknowledging the decision', adding it will provide no further comment until the written reasons are published.

Left-back Beck was sent off after he took a swipe at Holmes in the aftermath of Yuki Ohashi's foul on Osmajic.


Messi says MLS points record secondary as Miami face Toronto


Lionel Messi says breaking the single-season MLS points record is a secondary concern for Supporters' Shield winners Inter Miami as they approach the playoffs.

Miami clinched their first Supporters' Shield triumph by beating the Columbus Crew – the reigning MLS Cup holders – 3-2 on the road on Wednesday, with Messi scoring two goals including a wonderful free-kick.

With two games remaining in the regular season, versus Toronto on Saturday and the New England Revolution two weeks later, Miami could yet set a new points record for the league, with two victories enough to overhaul the Revs' 2021 mark of 73 points.

Messi, however, says achieving that feat will mean nothing if the Herons cannot back it up in the postseason.

"The points record is secondary, the main thing is what is coming up with the playoffs," Messi told Apple TV after Miami's Supporters' Shield triumph.

"First, we have a best-of-three series, but then it's elimination games and anything can happen. 

"We have a big advantage now, being able to play at home. We are very strong at home, but still have to prove we can win."

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Toronto, meanwhile, are on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention following their 4-1 midweek defeat to the New York Red Bulls.

John Herdman's Reds currently occupy the final wild-card place in the Eastern Conference, but Saturday's game is their last of the campaign while all of their direct rivals have two more to play.

That means Toronto must beat Miami and pray for favours from elsewhere to keep their season alive, leaving Herdman to lament his team's tame display on Wednesday.

"It was not good enough, there was no excuses. Not good enough with the setup and not good enough on the pitch," Herdman said.

"Even as a tactical staff, not being able to find the right solutions... We've got to own this, the whole group.

"It was a team that was too passive, in a game where we had to be strong, we had to have character, personality, fight. It just wasn't there, in big moments under pressure."

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