Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off for a horror tackle on Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday
Millwall’s goalkeeper Liam Roberts is staring down the barrel of an extended suspension following his tackle that landed Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in hospital. Former Middlesbrough shot-stopper Roberts was shown a red card after his boot connected with Mateta’s head during a race for the ball in Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round match, leaving Mateta needing 25 stitches.
The Football Association confirmed on Wednesday that it had lodged a claim for a lengthier ban for Roberts, arguing that the standard three-match penalty for serious foul play was “clearly insufficient” in this instance. Roberts has until Thursday to respond, according to the FA.
Steve Parish, Crystal Palace chairman, labelled Roberts’ tackle as the “most reckless” he has witnessed, while TV personality Piers Morgan dubbed the incident “shameful”. Palace announced that Mateta was released from hospital on Saturday evening after suffering a severe cut to his left ear due to Roberts’ challenge.
Millwall released a statement on Monday expressing their “disgusted” at the abuse aimed at Roberts. “The reporting on the matter, as well as disgraceful suggestions made by certain news organisations and high-profile figures within the sport that Liam intended to harm Jean-Philippe, has contributed to the unwarranted character assassination of Liam and fuelled abhorrent online abuse towards him,” the club said in their statement.
“No player at Millwall Football Club steps onto the pitch with the intent to harm another, and the club will continue to support Liam, who reached out to Jean-Philippe personally on Saturday evening with an apology which was accepted immediately.”
Millwall fans showed their solidarity with Roberts during Tuesday’s Championship game against Bristol City by holding a minute’s applause at the same moment in the match when he had been sent off against Palace.