MILLWALL fans conducted a minute’s applause for suspended prima Liam Roberts during their Championship clash with Bristol City.
The Lions were playing their archetypal crippled since crashing retired of the FA Cup with a 3-1 decision to South London rivals Crystal Palace astatine Selhurst Park connected Saturday.
https://twitter.com/BroadcastMoose/status/1897013451408466263
@BroadcastMoose
Reuters
Getty
GettyThat crippled was overshadowed by a shocking situation from goalkeeper Roberts aft helium inexplicably rushed retired of extremity and fly-kicked Eagles’ ace Jean-Philippe Mateta successful the head.
Mateta was rushed to infirmary arsenic a effect of the collision and needed 25 stitches, with Roberts being fixed his marching orders by Michael Oliver aft a VAR reappraisal upgraded a yellowish paper to a red.
Palace president Steve Parish said the tackle had “endangered his life” during an astonishing half-time rant to BBC Sport.
Roberts, 30, had been subjected to a immense barrage of maltreatment connected societal media pursuing the incident.
In a connection released connected Monday, Millwall said: “The nine are disgusted by maltreatment directed towards goalkeeper Liam Roberts pursuing Saturday’s unfortunate collision with Jean-Philippe Mateta.
“The reporting connected the matter, arsenic good arsenic disgraceful suggestions made by definite quality organisations and high-profile figures wrong the athletics that Liam intended to harm Jean-Philippe, has contributed to the unwarranted quality assassination of Liam and fuelled abhorrent online maltreatment towards him.”
And Millwall fans paid tribute to Roberts by applauding him successful the eighth infinitesimal of the clash, the aforesaid clip helium was sent disconnected against Palace.
Roberts, who could person his suspension extended to beyond 3 games for superior foul play, reportedly apologised to Mateta successful the evening pursuing the game.
In a connection connected societal media aft being released from hospital, 27-year-old Mateta said: “Thanks for each your benignant messages.
“I’m doing well. I anticipation to beryllium backmost precise soon and stronger than ever. Well done, guys, for the large occupation today. I emotion you. JP.”
Millwall added: “No subordinate astatine Millwall Football Club steps connected to the transportation with the intent to harm another, and the nine volition proceed to enactment Liam, who reached retired to Jean-Philippe personally connected Saturday evening with an apology which was accepted immediately.
“The nine are pleased to perceive affirmative updates from Jean-Philippe and privation him the champion successful his recovery.”
Vile chants of “let him die” from immoderate of the travelling supporters drew condemnation from BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce.
Meanwhile, the FA are acceptable to analyse alleged homophobic chants aimed astatine Ben Chilwell – connected indebtedness to Palace from the Blues.
Elsewhere, Mark Halsey slammed the authorities of English referees aft Oliver primitively lone awarded a yellowish paper for the tackle.
English (US) ·