Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has informed Sky Sports activities Information he wished to play on after he suffered a grotesque ear harm in opposition to Millwall within the FA Cup.
Mateta required 25 stitches after a horror problem from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts noticed him stretchered off at Selhurst Park in final month’s FA Cup fifth-round tie that Palace received 3-1.
Roberts obtained an prolonged six-match ban from the Soccer Affiliation for his excessive boot on Mateta, who was rushed to hospital in an ambulance after being left bloodied by the problem with accidents round his ear.
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was handed a six-match ban for his problem on Mateta
However Mateta was unaware of the severity of the injuries he had suffered, and pleaded with the Palace physician to let him return to motion.
In a TV unique with Sky Sports activities Information’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Mateta mentioned: “When he kicked me, I used to be on the ground ready for him to get the pink card. I used to be good to go. I assumed, ‘simply get the blood off and hold going’.
“I used to be arguing with the physician for 30 seconds, saying I wished to play. The physician noticed the harm, however I could not see it.
“I couldn’t feel pain. The blood, for sure. But I thought it was a little cut. My ear was like this [dangling]. But it was not painful.”
Mateta required 25 stitches in his left ear following Roberts’ problem
He added: “From Palace, everyone was texting me and wanted to come to the hospital to see me. The doctor told them it was OK and that I would be visiting the training ground.
“Liam contacted me and texted me whereas I used to be in hospital and I informed him ‘it’s OK it’s soccer’. He apologised. He was fearful.”
Roberts abuse ‘loopy’
Mateta says Roberts reached out to him by textual content after the incident
Regardless of the grotesque nature of the incident within the south London derby, Mateta doesn’t imagine Roberts had malicious intent within the problem.
“I don’t think he woke up and thought I want to cut the head of JP,” he mentioned. “There is a lot of pressure. He wanted to do good, too much emotion makes you do crazy things. It was just a mistake. You learn from it.”
The Palace ahead additionally commented on the abuse Roberts obtained throughout social media, which led to Millwall releasing an announcement in help of their participant, within the aftermath of the harm.
“It is crazy but you know the fans will react on social media,” he mentioned. “I didn’t send them to do this.”
Mateta to put on face masks on return to motion
Mateta hopes to return for the sport in opposition to Fulham
The Frenchman missed Palace’s 1-0 Premier League house win over Ipswich on March 8 – their final recreation previous to the worldwide break – however he’s concentrating on the sport in opposition to Fulham within the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 29 after already returning to particular person coaching.
When requested about his restoration and the timeframe for his return, Mateta added: “We were in Marbella last week and I trained [not with the squad].”
When pushed for a solution on his return date, he continued: “I don’t know. I’m still in touch with the specialists and the doctor. Hopefully, soon.
“Hopefully, I can play [vs Fulham]. Hopefully, they will see me. I am within the floor on daily basis.”
Mateta also confirmed that when he does make his return to the field, he will be wearing a protective mask while the stitches continue to heal completely.
“I must put on a masks, I must put on one thing,” he said. “I’ll take the perfect one that’s most snug.”
