Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has referred to as the incident leading to striker Jean-Philippe Mateta being taken to hospital “essentially the most reckless problem I’ve ever seen.”
Mateta was given oxygen and needed to be stretchered off throughout Palace’s 3-1 FA Cup Fifth Spherical win over Millwall after struggling a head harm when he was caught by the boot of goalkeeper Liam Roberts after eight minutes.
Roberts was despatched off following a video assistant referee (VAR) overview through the sport at Selhurst Park having dashed from his line to clear a protracted ball however as an alternative kicked the facet of Mateta’s head.
13 minutes had been added on on the finish of the primary half with Palace 2-0 up after an personal aim by Japhet Tanganga and a Daniel Munoz strike.
Mateta’s alternative, Eddie Nketiah, then added a 3rd late on to seal development to the quarter closing.
“Probably the most reckless problem on a soccer pitch I feel I’ve ever seen.” 😳
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish had some robust phrases for Liam Roberts’ problem that noticed Jean-Philippe Mateta stretchered off. pic.twitter.com/phtyE7sziR
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 1, 2025
Parish didn’t maintain again when talking to the BBC at half-time: “To date, what we all know is he [Mateta] has a foul gash behind his ear. He’s clearly on the hospital.
“In on a regular basis I’ve watched soccer, I’ve not seen a problem prefer it. That’s the most reckless problem on a soccer pitch I feel I’ve ever seen, and I feel he [Roberts] must have a protracted, exhausting take a look at himself as a result of he’s endangering a fellow skilled and possibly his life.
“It’s tough for me to speak about the remainder of the sport. It’s a horrible problem.”
Mateta has been in excellent type for the Eagles this season, scoring 15 targets in 33 appearances in all competitions, together with eight in his final eight Premier League video games.
