FA Cup: Palace’s Mateta gets 25 stitches after reckless tackle
Jean-Philippe Mateta has said he is doing well and hopes to return soon after being hospitalised following a horrific challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
Roberts was sent off just eight minutes into Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie, which Palace won 3-1, after catching Mateta’s head with his boot as he raced out to clear the ball.
Referee Michael Oliver initially took no action but later issued a red card after a VAR review.
Mateta received lengthy treatment on the pitch, including oxygen, before being stretchered into an ambulance and taken to hospital.
“Thank you for all your kind messages. I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon — stronger than ever. Well done, guys, for a great job today,” Mateta posted on Instagram.
Palace later confirmed that Mateta had been discharged from hospital.
“He received specialist treatment and 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear. All scans were clear, and JP is feeling well,” the club said.
“He will now rest and recuperate over the following days, with his progress monitored by our club doctor.”
Palace manager Oliver Glasner said the challenge could have ended the Frenchman’s career.
“Just imagine if he had hit his face directly — with that power and with the studs — it could have been the end of JP’s career,” said Glasner.
“I’m pretty sure he didn’t intend to injure JP, but when you make such an impact, you just can’t do it in that way.”
Mateta had scored eight goals in his previous nine games and has netted 15 times in total for Palace this season.
The 27-year-old also scored five times as France won silver at the Paris Olympics last year.
Palace chairman Steve Parish described the tackle as “the most reckless challenge” he had ever seen.
“What we know is he has a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury. Obviously, he’s at the hospital, so we hope for the best,” Parish told the BBC.
“That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen. I think he (Roberts) needs to take a long, hard look at himself because he endangered a fellow professional — maybe even his life — with that challenge.”
Palace made use of the man advantage for almost the entire game to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Japhet Tanganga’s own goal broke the visitors’ resistance before Daniel Muñoz prodded in a second.
Wes Harding pulled a goal back for the Lions 13 minutes into first-half stoppage time, which was extended due to Mateta’s treatment.
Palace had to wait until the 82nd minute to secure their victory when Eddie Nketiah’s looping header found the far corner.
AFP
