Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has received a six-game ban for his dangerous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, the Football Association announced. The initial three-match suspension for the red card offense has been doubled after the FA successfully argued the standard punishment was "clearly insufficient."
The incident occurred just eight minutes into Millwall's 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Selhurst Park, when Roberts kicked Mateta in the head while attempting to clear the ball. The challenge initially went unpunished by referee Michael Oliver but was later penalized after a video assistant referee (VAR) intervention.
Mateta's injury was severe enough to require oxygen on the field before being taken to an ambulance. The French striker needed 25 stitches for a serious laceration to his left ear.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parrish didn't mince words when discussing the incident, telling BBC Sport it was the "most reckless challenge I've ever seen." Eagles manager Oliver Glasner described it as a "terrible foul."
In contrast, Millwall head coach Alex Neill defended his player, stating that the challenge was not deliberate. Following the incident, Roberts faced what Millwall described as "disgusting" online abuse.
Roberts himself issued a statement expressing remorse: "I am devastated by what happened. I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment." The goalkeeper also addressed allegations about his intentions: "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."
The 30-year-old goalkeeper also mentioned that he had reached out to Mateta personally to apologize: "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."
Roberts also expressed gratitude for the support he received: "To the footballing community who know me and reached out with support through this tough time, thank you, I appreciate every single message."
The FA explained their decision to extend the ban: "The standard punishment for this offense 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 written reasons for the Independent Regulatory Commission's decision will be released in due course.
The extended suspension means Roberts will not be eligible to play again until Saturday, April 8, when Millwall travel to Sheffield United in the Championship. However, the impact on Millwall may be limited as Roberts has primarily served as the team's reserve goalkeeper this season, appearing in just two Championship matches after first-choice keeper Lukas Jensen suffered an injury in January. He also played in both of Millwall's Carabao Cup games in August and in the club's FA Cup fourth and fifth-round ties.
As for Mateta, there is hope that Palace's top scorer will return after the international break when the team faces Fulham. Glasner provided an update on the striker's condition: "He had no fractures or concussion. Healing from the huge wound is going as we expected." The manager added that Mateta will join the team on a training trip to Spain next week: "He will go to Marbella with us next week and be just training individually. If everything goes how we wish, he will be available versus Fulham."
Mateta has been a crucial player for Palace this season, scoring 12 Premier League goals in 27 appearances. While the injury has sidelined him temporarily, Glasner remained positive: "We lost JP in this game — we can't play him tomorrow — but it's not too bad."
