Millwall condemn 'abhorrent' abuse aimed at Liam Roberts after Jean-Philippe Mateta challenge

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·3 Maret 2025

Millwall condemn 'abhorrent' abuse aimed at Liam Roberts after Jean-Philippe Mateta challenge

Lions hit out at “character assassination” of goalkeeper, who quickly reached out to apologise to the Crystal Palace striker

Millwall say they are “disgusted” by “abhorrent” online abuse aimed at goalkeeper Liam Roberts following Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace.

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The Lions stopper was shown a straight red card just eight minutes into the all-London fifth-round contest at Selhurst Park after a reckless challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta that saw him come charging out to clear the ball but follow through with raised studs and clatter into the head of the Crystal Palace striker.

Roberts was sent off after referee Michael Oliver was advised by VAR to consult the pitchside monitor, with Mateta receiving lengthy treatment and oxygen before being stretchered off away to an ambulance, later receiving specialist treatment at St George’s Hospital and 25 stitches to what Palace described as a severe laceration to his left ear before being discharged and confirming that he was “doing well” and hoped to be back “very soon”.

The head-high challenge attracted strong criticism of the Millwall ‘keeper, with furious Palace chairman Steve Parish describing it as “the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen” during an emotional half-time interview with BBC Sport at Selhurst.

“In all the time I’ve watched football I’ve never seen a challenge like it,” Parish said. “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.”

The fallout from the challenge has continued since and Standard Sport understands that the Football Association (FA) have been mulling over whether to file an “insufficient punishment” appeal calling for Roberts to face a longer ban than the automatic three matches.

Millwall boss Alex Neil was adamant that Roberts had never intended to hurt Mateta, insisting there was no malice or intention in the challenge whatsoever and that the goalkeeper had been unable to stop his momentum.

Palace counterpart Oliver Glasner also said he believed that Roberts did not mean to hurt Mateta, but described it as “very serious foul play” that he claimed could have ended the player’s career if the contact had been made full in the face.

Millwall have now made a strong statement condemning the “abhorrent” abuse of Roberts online and lamenting an “unwanted character assassination” they say has been fuelled by “disgraceful suggestions” that he meant to hurt Mateta.

Millwall also confirmed that Roberts had personally reached out to Mateta following the match on Saturday night and made an apology that was immediately accepted by the Palace forward.

"The club are disgusted by abuse directed towards goalkeeper Liam Roberts following Saturday's unfortunate collision with Jean-Philippe Mateta,” Millwall said on Monday.

"The reporting on the matter, as well as disgraceful suggestions made by certain news organisations and high-profile figures within the sport that Liam intended to harm Jean-Philippe, has contributed to the unwarranted character assassination of Liam and fuelled abhorrent online abuse towards him.

"No player at Millwall Football Club steps onto the pitch with the intent to harm another, and the club will continue to support Liam, who reached out to Jean-Philippe personally on Saturday evening with an apology which was accepted immediately.

"The club are pleased to hear positive updates from Jean-Philippe and wish him the best in his recovery."