Millwall keeper's ban raised to six games after Mateta horror injury
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has had his suspension for a high-footed challenge on Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta extended to six matches, the FA said on Friday.
Roberts dashed out of his goal to deal with a forward pass in the sixth minute of Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie and collided with Mateta, kicking him in the head.
Just got in and seen this assault by Liam Roberts on Jean-Philippe Mateta
— 🆁 (@CapitalR) March 1, 2025
Absolutely wild. Wtf 😳 #FACup #CPFC pic.twitter.com/FwOTqiGOim
Referee Michael Oliver showed a yellow card but upgraded it to red after watching a VAR review of the incident.
Palace chairman Steve Parish described it as the most reckless challenge he had ever seen.
Roberts was handed a three-match ban for serious foul play, but the FA submitted a claim to increase the suspension, saying standard punishment for the offence was "clearly insufficient".
The FA's claim was upheld by an independent regulatory commission.
"The FA claimed that - in the circumstances - the standard punishment for this offence was clearly insufficient, and Liam Roberts subsequently denied this," the FA said in a statement.
"Following a hearing, the Regulatory Commission upheld The FA's claim, set aside the standard three-match punishment, and instead imposed a six-match ban."
Mateta received 10 minutes of treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital with a severe laceration.
The French forward needed 25 stitches in his left ear.
In a statement posted on Millwall's website, Roberts said he had spoken with Mateta and apologised for the incident.
"I am devastated by what happened. I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment," Roberts added.
"Furthermore, it has been extremely unpleasant to observe suggestions that I intended to harm a fellow professional. I have categorically never stepped onto a football pitch with the intention of hurting anyone.
"Misleading articles and comments have resulted in an unthinkable amount of abusive messages and threats towards my family and I."
''I am devastated by what happened''
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 7, 2025
Liam Roberts has released the following statement after the red card incident with Jean-Philippe Mateta. pic.twitter.com/OMDGEaIimM
