The Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts is to serve an extended six-match ban for his challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta after an appeal by the Football Association.
Roberts said he accepted unequivocally “the red card as awarded and accept my punishment” and reiterated his apologies to the Crystal Palace striker, describing himself as “devastated” by the incident.
Mateta required 25 stitches in his left ear after the challenge, which came in the sixth minute of an FA Cup fifth-round tie last weekend, and led to Roberts’s dismissal.
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The FA said on Wednesday it felt a standard three-match ban for serious foul play was “clearly insufficient” punishment and asked an independent regulatory commission to intervene.
On Friday it was confirmed the commission had agreed with the FA and doubled the amount of games the 30-year-old will miss.
In a statement released via Millwall’s club channels, Roberts spoke of “a really difficult week for all concerned, including my family and I” and said: “It has been extremely unpleasant to observe suggestions that I intended to harm a fellow professional. I have categorically never stepped on to a football pitch with the intention of hurting anyone.”
He confirmed he had reached out to Mateta in the evening after the match: “I was thankful to hear back from him that he was OK and reassured me not to worry.”
Roberts said: “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.”
Millwall fans held a minute’s applause in solidarity with Roberts in Tuesday’s Championship defeat by Bristol City, at the same point when he had been sent off at Selhurst Park.
“I want to say a huge thank you to everybody connected to Millwall Football Club for their continued support,” Roberts said. “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.”
