March 7 (Reuters) – The FA said on Friday that Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts’ punishment for a high-footed tackle on Crystal Palace attacker Jean-Philippe Mateta had been extended to six games.
In the sixth minute of Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round match, Roberts rushed out of his goal to handle a forward pass and struck Mateta, kicking him in the head.
After viewing a VAR review of the incident, referee Michael Oliver increased the yellow card to a red one.
After viewing a VAR review of the incident, referee Michael Oliver increased the yellow card to a red one.
Steve Parish, the chairman of the Palace, called it the most rash challenge he had ever witnessed.
Roberts received a three-match suspension for serious foul play, but the FA claimed that the normal penalty was “clearly insufficient” and filed a claim to extend the term.
An independent regulatory commission upheld the FA’s claim.
Roberts received a three-match suspension for serious foul play, but the FA claimed that the normal penalty was “clearly insufficient” and filed a claim to extend the term.
An independent regulatory commission upheld the FA’s claim.
“The FA asserted that the standard penalty for this offense was obviously inadequate under the circumstances, and Liam Roberts later refuted this,” the FA stated in a statement.
“The Regulatory Commission upheld The FA’s claim after a hearing, rescinding the customary three-match punishment and imposing a six-match ban instead.”
Mateta was treated on the field for ten minutes before being transported to the hospital due to a serious cut. The French forward’s left ear required twenty-five stitches.
Roberts apologized for the incident and claimed he had spoken with Mateta in a statement that was put on Millwall’s website.
“I am devastated by what happened,” Roberts continued. “I accept my punishment and the red card as awarded without hesitation.”
“In addition, it has been quite uncomfortable to see hints that I meant to hurt a professional teammate. I have never, ever set foot on a football field with the aim to cause harm to anyone.
“My family and I have received an unimaginable number of abusive messages and threats as a result of misleading articles and comments.”
