Liam Roberts has been handed a six-match ban for his head-high challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta, after the Football Association’s (FA) appeal for an extended suspension was upheld by an independent regulatory commission.
Mateta was given oxygen on the pitch, taken to hospital and needed 25 stitches after Roberts’ reckless tackle in last weekend’s FA Cup fifth round match between London rivals Crystal Palace and Millwall, which the Eagles won 3-1 at Selhurst Park.
Goalkeeper Roberts was sent off by referee Michael Oliver, after he viewed a replay of the challenge on the pitchside monitor.
Mateta suffered a gash to his ear and is now targeting a return in time for Palace’s FA Cup quarter-final tie away at Fulham on March 29.
Roberts reached out to Mateta personally in the aftermath of the match, to apologise and explain that he had not intended to hurt the Frenchman.
Palace chairman Steve Parish was among those who were most vocal about the incident, telling the BBC during half-time of the match that it was possibly “the most reckless challenge” he had ever seen on a football pitch.
The red card for Roberts meant he automatically received a three-match ban, but the FA submitted an appeal to a regulatory commission in which they argued that the punishment was “clearly insufficient”.
That appeal was upheld by the commission, who decided that the Millwall player will serve a six-match suspension instead.
He will not be eligible to play again now until the away trip to Sheffield United on April 8, missing Championship matches against Watford, Leeds, Stoke, Sunderland and Portsmouth, having already sat out the 2-0 home defeat by Bristol City on Tuesday night.
An FA statement released on Friday afternoon read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld The FA’s claim to increase the suspension of Millwall’s Liam Roberts.
“The goalkeeper was sent off on Saturday, 1 March, for serious foul play around the 6th minute of the FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace.
“The FA claimed that — in the circumstances — the standard punishment for this offence was clearly insufficient, and Liam Roberts subsequently denied this.
“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.
“The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.”
Meanwhile, Millwall - who condemned the “abhorrent” abuse sent to their goalkeeper online after the incident at Selhurst Park - released their own statement including a message from Roberts himself.
Millwall’s statement said: “Millwall Football Club has been notified by the Football Association that Liam Roberts has received an additional three-match suspension following his red card against Crystal Palace on Saturday 1st March 2025.
“Whilst the club is disappointed with the outcome, it respects the process that has been undertaken.”
Roberts wrote: “Hello everyone. As the dust settles, I want to address what has been a really difficult week for all concerned, including my family and I.
“Firstly, to Jean-Philippe, who I continue to send my best wishes to in his recovery. As soon as I could, I reached out to Jean-Philippe personally to apologise, and I was thankful to hear back from him that evening that he was OK and reassured me not to worry.
“I am devastated by what happened. I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment. 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. To the footballing community who know me and reached out with support through this tough time, thank you, I appreciate every single message.
“Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody connected to Millwall Football Club for their continued support. The togetherness throughout this club is unique, and I can’t wait to be back out on the pitch in front of our fans. Be kind. Take care. Robbo.”
