Crystal Palace forward player, Jean-Philippe Mateta has defended Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, after the incident that occurred during the FA Cup round of 16 match.
Liam Roberts was sent off after the horrific incident while Phillipe Mateta was stretchered off the field before being taken to hospital. According to the Frenchman, the goalkeeper contacted him that evening to apologise before being targeted by social media abuse.
Mateta said,
“Liam texted me while I was in hospital and I told him ‘it is OK, it is football’. He apologised. He was worried. I don’t think he woke up and thought ‘I want to cut the head off JP. There is a lot of pressure. He wanted to do good, [but] too much emotion makes you do crazy things. It was just a mistake. You learn from it.”
Although Mateta missed Palace’s league win over Ipswich, Eagles boss Oliver Glasner said he hoped his team’s top scorer would be fit for their FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on 29 March.
Mateta was asked when he would be able to play again, he replied: “I don’t know. I’m still in touch with the specialists and the doctor. Hopefully soon. Hopefully I can play [against Fulham].”
Mateta needed 25 stitches to his left ear after being kicked in the head by Roberts during Palace’s FA Cup win on March 1, 2025.
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