London, UK — Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been hospitalized following a dangerous high-boot challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts during their FA Cup encounter at Selhurst Park.
The incident, which occurred just six minutes into the match, has sparked outrage, with Palace chairman Steve Parish condemning it as “the most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen.”
Mateta was challenging for a high ball outside the box when Roberts charged out, striking him in the head with an outstretched boot. The French forward collapsed instantly and received prolonged medical attention before being stretchered off and rushed to a nearby hospital for further assessment.
Despite the severity of the collision, referee Peter Bankes only issued a yellow card to Roberts, a decision that angered Palace players, fans, and officials.
Reacting to the incident, Parish expressed his disbelief, stating, “That was one of the most dangerous challenges I’ve witnessed. Mateta could have suffered serious injuries, and the fact that it wasn’t a red card is beyond comprehension.”
However, Millwall head coach Alex Neil defended his goalkeeper, insisting that Roberts had no malicious intent and was simply attempting to clear the danger. “It was an unfortunate clash between two committed players,” Neil said. “Liam was focused on clearing the ball, and while contact was made, I don’t believe it was reckless.”
The controversial decision has fueled debate, with former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg arguing that VAR would likely have overturned the yellow card in a top-flight match. “This is a clear case of endangering an opponent,” Clattenburg remarked. “It’s surprising that the officials didn’t take firmer action.”
Despite Mateta’s early exit, Crystal Palace battled on to claim a hard-fought victory, eliminating Millwall from the FA Cup. However, concerns remain over Mateta’s condition, with the club yet to provide an official update on his recovery.
By Enoch Odesola | March 2, 2025
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