Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish labelled a tackle by Millwall’s goalkeeper which left striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in hospital “the most reckless challenge I think I’ve ever seen”.
Goalkeeper Liam Roberts was shown a red card, following a VAR review, after coming off his line to clear a long ball and colliding into the on-rushing Mateta in the head with his raised studs.
Frenchman Mateta, who has been in superb form for Premier League side Palace with 15 goals from 33 appearances, was given oxygen on the pitch during a lengthy stoppage before being taken off and put into an ambulance. He was replaced by Eddie Nketiah.
Speaking on the BBC at half-time, Parish accused Roberts of endangering an opponent’s life.
“What we know is he’s got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury,” said Parish. “In all the time I’ve watched football I’ve never seen a challenge like it. That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen and I think he needs to take a long hard look at himself, that lad, because he’s endangering a fellow professional – maybe even his life.”
"That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I've ever seen."
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 1, 2025
Crystal Palace chairman and co-owner Steve Parish has spoken about Millwall keeper Liam Roberts' challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta. pic.twitter.com/gkcR9IMSEI
Palace led 2-1 at half-time and went on to win the tie 3-1.
After the match, Palace manager Oliver Glasner gave a further update on Mateta’s condition.
“His ear looks terrible. It’s a very serious injury so we hope all the best for him,” Glasner said. “We are not really happy, we can’t be really happy. Of course, it’s a great win and into the quarter-finals but when you lose a player, especially with a foul like this, you have two different feelings in your stomach.”
