Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has defended Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts following his horrific challenge in the FA Cup, Afrosport reports.
Mateta was kicked in the head by Roberts during the fifth round tie at Selhurst Park on March 1 and was taken to hospital where he had 25 stitches to his left ear.
Roberts was sent off and handed a three-match ban which has since been extended to six.
The English goalkeeper contacted Mateta to apologise but has been subject to abuse online for his actions.
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Mateta said: “Liam texted me while I was in hospital and I told him ‘it is OK, it is football’. He apologised. He was worried.
“I don’t think he woke up and thought ‘I want to cut the head off JP’.
“There is a lot of pressure. He wanted to do good, [but] too much emotion makes you do crazy things. It was just a mistake. You learn from it.”
Mateta missed Palace’s Premier league win over Ipswich Town and hopes he can play in the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on March 29. He however revealed he will need to protective gear on his face.
“I don’t know. I’m still in touch with the specialists and the doctor. Hopefully soon. Hopefully I can play [against Fulham],” he added.
“I need to wear a mask, I need to wear something,” he said. “I will take the best one that is most comfortable.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta moves second in our all-time top @premierleague goalscorers list
BOOOOM to that.#CPFC pic.twitter.com/eaHJRPkoQx
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 26, 2025
Mateta is Crystal Palace’s top scorer this season with 15 goals in 33 competitive games, 12 of them in the Premier League.
