Millwall goalkeeper,Liam Roberts, will now serve a six-match suspension after his red card for a dangerous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was deemed inadequate by the Football Association.
The 30-year-old was sent off just eight minutes into Millwall’s 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round loss at Selhurst Park after accidentally striking Mateta in the head while attempting to clear the ball.
The French forward required oxygen on the pitch before being taken to an ambulance, where he received 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear.
Initially, referee Michael Oliver did not penalize the challenge, but after a VAR review, Roberts was given a straight red card.
This resulted in an automatic three-game suspension, but the FA successfully argued that the punishment was insufficient, leading to the extended six-match ban.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish strongly condemned the challenge, calling it “the most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen,” while manager Oliver Glasner described it as a “terrible foul.”
However, Millwall head coach Alex Neill defended Roberts, insisting the incident was unintentional.
Following the match, Roberts faced a wave of online abuse, which Millwall labeled “disgusting.”
The goalkeeper later released a statement expressing remorse for the incident and condemning the accusations that he had deliberately harmed Mateta.
“As soon as I could, I reached out to Jean-Philippe personally to apologise, and I was thankful to hear back from him that evening that he was OK and reassured me not to worry,” Roberts stated.
“I am devastated by what happened. I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment.
“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.
“Misleading articles and comments have resulted in an unthinkable amount of abusive messages and threats towards my family 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 Independent Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for upholding the FA’s claim will be released in due course.
The FA explained its decision in a statement, saying, “The standard punishment for this offence was clearly insufficient, and Liam Roberts subsequently denied this.
“Following a hearing, the Regulatory Commission upheld the FA’s claim, set aside the standard three-match punishment, and instead imposed a six-match ban.”
Roberts has primarily served as Millwall’s backup goalkeeper this season, making only two Championship appearances after an injury sidelined first-choice Lukas Jensen in January.
He also featured in the club’s Carabao Cup games in August and their FA Cup fourth and fifth-round matches.
Meanwhile, Palace is hopeful that Mateta will return to action after the international break when they face Fulham.
Glasner confirmed that the striker would travel to Spain for individual training in preparation for his comeback.
“He had no fractures or concussion. Healing from the huge wound is going as we expected,” Glasner said ahead of Palace’s Premier League clash with Ipswich Town.
“He will go to Marbella with us next week and be just training individually. If everything goes how we wish, he will be available versus Fulham.
“We lost JP in this game – we can’t play him tomorrow – but it’s not too bad.”
Mateta has been a key figure for Palace this season, scoring 12 goals in 27 Premier League appearances.
