Crystal Palace President Steve Parish called on the incident, resulting in the striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to be taken to the hospital “The most reckless challenge I have ever seen”.
Mateta received oxygen and had to stretch during the fifth round of Palace 3-1 of the FA Cup over the Millwall after suffering a head injury when he was caught by the goalkeeper Liam Roberts after eight minutes.
Roberts was sent after an assistant video referee (VAR) Review during the game at Selhurst Park that broke his line to clear a long ball, but instead kicked the Mateta head.
Thirteen minutes were added at the end of the first half with the 2-0 palace after his own goal by Japhet Tanganga and a Daniel Munoz strike.
Mateta’s replacement, Eddie Nketiah, added a third late to seal the development in the quarter final.
“The most reckless challenge on a football field I think I’ve ever seen.” 😳
Crystal Palace President Steve Parish had some powerful words about the challenge of Liam Roberts who saw Jean-Philippe Mateta stretch. pic.twitter.com/phtye7szir
– Matching the day (@BBCMOTD) March 1 2025
Parish did not hold back when she spoke to the BBC at halftime: “So far, what we know is that he (Mateta) has a bad gash behind his ear. He’s obviously in the hospital.
“I have watched football all the time, I have not seen a challenge like this. This is the most reckless challenge on a football stadium that I think I have ever seen, and I think he (Roberts) must have a long, harsh look at himself because
“It’s hard for me to talk about the rest of the game. It’s a terrible challenge.”
Mateta is in great form for the Eagles this season, scoring 15 goals in 33 appearances in all matches, including eight in the last eight of the Premier League.
