The chairman of Crystal Palace, Steve Parish, referred to the incident, who led to striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to be taken to the hospital, “the most reckless challenge that I have ever seen”.
Mateta received oxygen and had to be warded off in the 3-1 win in Palace Fac Cup against Millwall after a head injury when he was caught from the trunk of the goalkeeper Liam Roberts after eight minutes.
After a video Assistant Referee (Var), Roberts was sent from his line from his line during the game in Selhurst Park to clear a long ball, but instead the side of Matetas headed.
At the end of the first half, thirteen minutes were switched on with 2-0 after their own goal by Japhet Tanganga and a Daniel Munoz strike.
The replacement of Mateta, Eddie Nketiah, added a third one late to seal the progress for the quarter -finals.
“The most reckless challenge on a soccer field I think I’ve ever seen.” 😳
The chairman of Crystal Palace, Steve Parish, had some strong words for the challenge of Liam Roberts that Jean-Philippe Mateta had fended off. pic.twitter.com/phtye7szir
– Match of the day (@bbbcmotd) March 1, 2025
The community did not hold back when he spoke to the BBC at half -time: “So far we know that he (Mateta) has a bad cut behind his ear. He is obviously in the hospital.
“In all the time when I saw football, I didn’t see a challenge. This is the most ruthless challenge on a soccer field that I have ever seen that he has ever seen, and I think he (Roberts) has to have a long, strong look at himself because he endangers a co -wife and maybe his life.
“It is difficult for me to talk about the rest of the game. It is a terrible challenge. “
Mateta was excellent for the Eagles this season and scored 15 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions, including in his last eight Premier League games.
