Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish vented his fury at Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts after his ‘reckless challenge’ on Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Roberts was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver, albeit only following a VAR review, just eight minutes into Saturday’s FA Cup game at Selhurst Park after forcefully striking Mateta in the head.
The 30-year-old may well have been aiming for the ball but both of his feet were way off the ground as his left boot connected with Mateta’s skull.
After being substituted off, Mateta was taken to a nearby hospital.
Parish later spoke to BBC Sport during the half-time interval to provide an update.
‘So far what we know is he’s got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury,’ Parish said. ‘Obviously, he’s at the hospital, so we hope for the best.
Millwall keeper Liam Roberts was sent off early on in their FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace
As he tried to clear a through ball, Roberts’ studs were high and he caught Mateta in the head
Michael Oliver initially didn’t give a foul or card, but after a VAR review, he sent Roberts off
‘There’s a lot of emotion in football but we need to talk about that challenge. In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve never seen a challenge like it. I looked to see how old the keeper is and he’s 30 years old. That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch that I think I’ve ever seen and he needs to have a long hard look at himself that lad because he’s endangering a fellow professional – and maybe even his life with a challenge like that.
‘So it’s very difficult for me to talk about the rest of the game because we’re worried about JP and it’s just a terrible, terrible challenge.’
Palace were leading 2-1 at half-time. Asked if he was impressed by how Mateta’s Palace team-mates rallied and responded positively after the shocking injury, Parish added: ‘They’re professionals, they’re all professionals and they have to treat each other like professionals and have a duty of care towards their fellow professionals. And that goalkeeper hasn’t had one.
‘And credit to the players for carrying on but it’s difficult for me to think about anything else at the moment, with JP in hospital.
‘It’s a dreadful challenge and why the ref needed to go to the screen I’ve got no idea.’
When the interviewer tried to change the subject, Parish hit back: ‘He’s a human being, let’s forget about a football player.
‘That’s just not a challenge. If you’re kicking someone in the head with full force like that, god knows what damage he’s done to him.
‘Yes, it’s a good moment for us as a football club right now but it’s very difficult for me to get past that challenge.’
Mateta received nine minutes of treatment before he was subsequently taken off on a stretcher
Palace chairman Steve Parish hit out the challenge in a half-time interview with BBC Sport
Palace went on to beat 10-man Millwall 3-1, booking their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the third time in 10 years.
A Japhet Tanganga own goal opened the scoring on 33 minutes before Daniel Munoz doubled the Eagles’ lead.
Wes Harding pulled a goal back for Millwall in the 13th-minute of first-half added time.
But substitute Eddie Nketiah, the man who replaced Mateta following his injury, then wrapped up Palace’s victory late in the second half.
Mateta has been in fabulous form for Palace this season.
Prior to Saturday, he had scored eight goals in his last nine matches.
The 27-year-old also provided a stunning assist in a 2-0 win away at Fulham last month.
Mateta cost Palace a transfer fee in the region of £27million when he signed from Mainz in January 2022 following an initial loan spell at Selhurst Park.
His Palace contract was extended late last year and he is now tied to the club until June 2027.
