Liam Roberts’ Suspension Extended to Six Games After Mateta Foul
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has been handed a six-game suspension following his dangerous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during an FA Cup match. The incident, which occurred just eight minutes into Millwall’s 3-1 defeat at Selhurst Park, saw Roberts accidentally kick Mateta in the head while attempting to clear the ball. Initially, the referee did not penalize the action, but after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, Roberts was given a red card. Mateta, who suffered a severe cut on his left ear, required oxygen on the pitch before being taken to a hospital, where he received 25 stitches. Roberts’ initial punishment was a three-match suspension, but the Football Association (FA) deemed it insufficient and appealed for an extension, which an independent regulatory commission upheld. Consequently, Roberts will not be eligible to play until Millwall’s April 8 fixture against Sheffield United.
Following the incident, Roberts faced intense criticism, with Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish condemning the challenge as the “most reckless” he had ever witnessed. Palace manager Oliver Glasner also labeled it a “terrible foul.” Despite the backlash, Millwall’s head coach, Alex Neill, defended Roberts, asserting that the challenge was unintentional. Roberts himself expressed deep regret over the incident, issuing a public apology and personally reaching out to Mateta to check on his well-being. He also addressed the wave of abuse he and his family received online, describing it as overwhelming and unjust. Roberts insisted that he never steps onto the field with the intention of harming another player and emphasized that misleading reports had intensified the backlash against him. While he accepted his punishment, he expressed disappointment at how the situation was portrayed by certain media outlets.
Meanwhile, Mateta’s recovery is progressing well, according to Palace manager Glasner. The 27-year-old striker, who is Palace’s top scorer with 12 goals this season, avoided fractures and concussions despite the severity of the injury. He is expected to rejoin the squad after the international break and will participate in a training camp in Spain before making his return in an upcoming match against Fulham. Glasner reassured fans that Mateta's healing process was on track and that the striker should be fit to play soon. While the incident has sparked significant debate, the extended ban on Roberts serves as a strong statement from the FA against dangerous play, reinforcing the league’s commitment to player safety.
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