‘Clearly insufficient’ – FA looking to increase Millwall ace Liam Roberts’ three-match ban after horror Mateta challenge

3 months ago 104

THE FA has warned Millwall keeper Liam Roberts to expect a agelong prohibition aft his shocking foul connected Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, the FA announced that “in the circumstances the modular punishment is intelligibly insufficient”.

Soccer goalie leaping to drawback  a shot  portion    a subordinate    jumps to caput  the ball.Getty
Roberts collides with Mateta connected Saturday[/caption]
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fifth Round - Crystal Palace v Millwall - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - March 1, 2025 Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta is carried distant  successful  a stretcher aft  sustaining an wounded   REUTERS/David KleinMateta was hospitalized to person specializer treatmentReuters
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No usage  with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists (outside the EU), club/league logos oregon  "live" services. Online in-match usage  constricted  to 45 images (+15 successful  other  time). No usage  to emulate moving images. No usage  successful  betting, games oregon  azygous  club/league/player publications/services. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Simon Traylen/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock (15174040k) Referee Michael Oliver during the FA Cup lucifer  betwixt  Crystal Palace and Millwall astatine  Selhurst Park, London Crystal Palace v Millwall, FA Cup., 5th Round - 01 Mar 2025Michael Oliver needed to cheque the VAR show earlier sending Roberts offPro Sports

The existent authorisation is simply a modular three-match ban, which saw Roberts miss past night’s Championship necktie against Bristol City.

He volition besides miss upcoming trips to Watford and Leeds.

Roberts was fixed until Thursday March 6 to respond to today’s connection by the FA.

But Millwall person instantly issued a connection of their own.

It reads: “Millwall Football Club acknowledges the FA’s connection and volition proceed to enactment Liam who has been subjected to horrendous online maltreatment since Saturday’s collision.”

The clash came conscionable 8 minutes into Millwall’s FA Cup necktie astatine Selhurst Park, a archetypal South London derby since 2022.

As Mateta chased a precocious shot into the box, Millwall goalkeeper Roberts leapt to wide it, kicking Mateta successful the caput successful the process.

Mateta was rushed to infirmary for “specialist treatment”, wherever helium received 25 stitches connected his near ear.

Referee Michael Oliver did not initially springiness a foul but sent Roberts disconnected aft a short VAR review.

The FA person present submitted a assertion to summation Roberts’ sanction.

Millwall supporters person rallied down their keeper, holding a minute of applause successful the eighth infinitesimal of Tuesday’s 2-0 nonaccomplishment to Bristol City.

It comes aft they chanted “let him die” arsenic France planetary Mateta received attraction connected Saturday.

The nine has besides released statements successful his defence, referring to reporting and punditry connected the foul arsenic “unwarranted quality assassination”.

Crystal Palace president Steve Parish appeared connected BBC One astatine half-time to sermon the foul, saying: “In each the clip I’ve watched football, I’ve not seen a situation similar it.

“That is the astir reckless situation connected a shot transportation I deliberation I’ve ever seen, and I deliberation [Roberts] needs to person a long, hard look astatine himself.”

Millwall manager Alex Neil rebuked that connection station match, saying Roberts simply “misjudged [the clearance] and caught the lad”.

He added: “I don’t deliberation it is meant. I don’t deliberation determination is immoderate intent, wherefore would determination beryllium intent?”

It is not yet known erstwhile Mateta will instrumentality to play.

Stadium jumbotron showing a shot    game, people     0-0.Millwall had a minute’s applause for Roberts successful the lucifer against Bristol
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