- Liam Roberts was sent off for horror challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta
- Roberts is waiting to see whether his three-match suspension will be extended
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Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts is currently awaiting the Football Association’s (FA) decision on whether his standard three-match suspension will be extended following a dangerous tackle on Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta during their recent FA Cup fifth-round match.
The incident occurred just five minutes into the game, leading to Roberts’ dismissal and raising concerns about player safety. However, referee Michael Oliver needed to use VAR to recognise Roberts’ challenge was a red card offence.
The FA is considering invoking a ‘clearly insufficient’ punishment claim, a measure reserved for truly exceptional cases where the standard sanction is deemed inadequate.
According to FA disciplinary regulations, this process involves several steps. The FA must submit a claim and supporting evidence to the player’s club by 1.00pm on the second business day following the match.
Then the club or player have until 6pm on the same day to provide evidence arguing that the standard punishment is sufficient. Once that is submitted, a Regulatory Commission then reviews the case to determine if the standard punishment should be increased. If the claim is upheld, the commission decides on a new, more severe penalty.
The challenge in question saw Roberts rushing out of his penalty area and colliding with Mateta, making contact with the striker’s head. This reckless action resulted in Mateta suffering a significant laceration that required 25 stitches.
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts is currently awaiting the Football Association’s (FA) decision on whether his standard three-match suspension will be extended
Mateta was on the receiving end of a horror challenge by Roberts (pictured above)
Crystal Palace eventually booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory
He was subsequently hospitalised after receiving 10 minutes of medical attention on the pitch and being stretchered off wearing a neck brace. However, he has since been discharged.
A statement from Palace read: ‘We are very pleased to confirm that JP Mateta has this evening been discharged from St George’s Hospital where he received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear. All scans were clear and JP is feeling well.
‘He will now rest and recuperate over the following days where his progress will be monitored by our club doctor.
‘Thank you to the medical staff at both Selhurst Park and the hospital for their help and professionalism, and for all the wishes of support that JP and the club have received today.’
The severity of the incident has prompted widespread criticism. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish described the tackle as ‘the most reckless I’ve ever seen,’ emphasising that it endangered Mateta’s life.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also weighed in on the situation, suggesting that the FA may consider extending Roberts’ ban due to the nature of the challenge.
While Palace’s top scorer was being provided oxygen and transferred to a stretcher to be taken to hospital, Millwall fans sang: ‘Let him die, let him die.’ Severely disappointing.
The Championship club are set to escape punishment for those disgraceful chants as they do not constitute a breach of rules, but the FA have confirmed they are investigating the potentially homophobic songs which were aimed at Ben Chilwell, who is on loan at Palace from Chelsea.
Despite the incident with Mateta, Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 victory, advancing to the FA Cup quarter-finals. As the football community awaits the FA’s decision, discussions continue regarding appropriate disciplinary measures for actions that jeopardise player safety.
