Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has been handed an additional three-game suspension by the Football Association.
Roberts was ejected from the FA Cup match last weekend for a reckless tackle on Crystal Palace player Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Mateta was given oxygen on the field and then taken to a hospital, where doctors used 25 stitches to close a wound on his ear.
Referee Michael Oliver issued a red card to Roberts, even though he initially didn’t call a foul.
Roberts was initially facing a three-game suspension for dangerous play, but the FA increased the penalty.
Millwall stated they were “disappointed” with the decision to extend Roberts’ suspension but acknowledged the FA’s procedures.
The FA appealed the standard three-match suspension because they felt the original punishment was not enough for the severity of the foul.
Mateta was discharged from the hospital after a few hours as anger grew regarding the incident.
Roberts stated that he personally contacted Jean-Philippe to apologize and was relieved to hear that Mateta was okay and not to worry.
“I am devastated by what happened,” Roberts added.
"I fully accept the red card and the resulting punishment."
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish called the tackle “the most reckless I’ve ever witnessed.”
Speaking during halftime, Parish mentioned Mateta had a severe cut behind his ear and a head injury and was in the hospital. He expressed hope for Mateta’s recovery.
Parish acknowledged the passion in football but emphasized the need to address the dangerous challenge.
He remarked that in all his years watching football, he had never seen such a challenge.
Parish, noting Roberts’ age of 30, described the challenge as the most reckless he had ever seen on a football field.
He urged Roberts to seriously reflect on his actions, stating that he endangered a fellow professional’s well-being and possibly their life with such a challenge.
