In the FA Cup game between Crystal Palace and Millwall, Liam Roberts made a very hard tackle on Jean-Philippe Mateta. Roberts has now been suspended for six games.
Crystal Palace beat second-tier Millwall 3-1 in the FA Cup on Saturday. But after the game, the result was secondary. Much more excitement was caused by Millwall keeper Liam Roberts’ horror foul on Jean-Philippe Mateta. In the 8th minute, Roberts had kicked with his studs first, without regard for the consequences, against Mateta’s head.
The striker had to be treated in hospital and his ear was stitched up with 25 stitches. Fortunately, Crystal Palace announced on Saturday that Mateta had left the hospital and was doing well.
FA considers the standard penalty “insufficient”
Almost a week after the hard foul, the English Football Association (FA) has now announced the penalty for Roberts, who received the red card for boarding after a VAR review. The goalkeeper will be suspended for six matches.
An FA statement said: “The FA submitted that the standard penalty for this offence was clearly insufficient in the circumstances, which Roberts subsequently disputed. After a hearing, the Disciplinary Commission upheld the FA’s application, setting aside the standard three-match ban and imposing a six-match suspension instead.”
A statement from Roberts was published on the Millwall FC website, which read: “As soon as I could, I personally apologized to Jean-Philippe, and I was grateful when I heard from him that evening that he was fine and assured me that I had nothing to worry about. I am devastated by what happened. I accept the red card and the associated punishment without any ifs or buts.”
