Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta was hospitalized with a head injury after a dangerous incident in Saturday’s FA Cup match. Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off just eight minutes into the game after charging out of the 18-yard box and attempting to clear a long ball. Roberts struck Mateta in the side of the face with a high follow-through kick.
Mateta remained on the ground and required extensive medical attention before being fitted with a neck brace and taken off the field in an ambulance.
Palace chairman Steve Parish spoke during halftime, sharing that Mateta had sustained a significant cut behind his ear and a head injury. He expressed hope for Mateta’s recovery as the forward was taken to the hospital.
Referee Michael Oliver initially did not show Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts a yellow card, despite being only a few yards away from the incident. However, after being called over by VAR to review the situation on a pitchside monitor, Oliver issued a straight red card to Roberts.
Palace chairman Steve Parish expressed his shock, saying, “In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve never seen a challenge like it. That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta, who leads Crystal Palace’s goal-scoring with 12 Premier League goals this season, was the victim of the foul.
