Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has been handed a six-match ban for his problem on Jean-Philippe Mateta which hospitalised the Crystal Palace ahead.
Roberts’ excessive boot triggered Mateta to have 25 stitches in his left ear after the pair got here collectively to problem for the ball throughout final Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Selhurst Park, main Palace chairman Steve Parish to explain it as “the most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen”.
The Soccer Affiliation submitted a declare to have the ban prolonged from the usual three matches, claiming three video games was “clearly insufficient” for the offence, and the governing physique confirmed on Friday that an impartial regulatory panel had issued a six-match suspension to Roberts.
Milwall say they’re “disappointed with the outcome, but respect the process that has been undertaken”.
In the meantime, Roberts says he’s “devastated” by what occurred and reached out to Mateta “immediately” after the sport.
The Lions goalkeeper additionally instantly mentioned he accepted the sanction in an announcement on his membership’s web site.
“I am devastated by what happened. I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment,” he mentioned.
“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.
“Deceptive articles and feedback have resulted in an unthinkable quantity of abusive messages and threats in direction of my household and I.
“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 mentioned the regulatory panel’s written causes for rising the ban to 6 matches could be revealed sooner or later.
Palace hope Mateta returns in time for Fulham cup conflict
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Sections of the Millwall crowd might be heard applauding through the eighth minute of their match in opposition to Bristol Metropolis, in obvious help of Liam Roberts after his pink card for a problem on Jean-Philippe Mateta within the FA Cup
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is optimistic Mateta will recuperate from his vital ear damage in time to face Fulham of their FA Cup quarter-final on the finish of the month.
Glasner confirmed the Frenchman was recovering properly however that he would miss Saturday’s Premier League match at residence to Ipswich.
The Austrian informed a press convention earlier than Roberts’ new ban was introduced: “Mateta is doing well. He is at home and his recovery is going well. He had no fractures or concussion. Healing from the huge wound is going as we expected.
“He’ll go to Marbella with us subsequent week and be simply coaching individually. If every little thing goes how we want, he will probably be obtainable versus Fulham.
“We lost JP in this game, we can’t play him tomorrow, but it’s not too bad.”
Glasner insisted his gamers have largely put final weekend’s unsettling incident behind them.
He added: “To be honest, it wasn’t a big topic here in the training ground.
“The gamers had two days off (after the Millwall recreation) and, after all, all people was in contact with JP and messaging him and I believe all people may see how he’s.
“The evening after the Millwall game, it was announced all’s fine with him and everybody knows he is doing well, and he will be back soon. We started on Tuesday focusing on Ipswich.
“JP’s mom came visiting from France and he or she took care of him, so he is in the most effective arms!
“He has great support at home. He will go with us to Marbella and will be in good hands again and he will start training with us.”
