Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has had his three-match ban for a dangerous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta extended to six games.
The 30-year-old was sent off eight minutes into his side’s 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Selhurst Park after kicking Mateta in the head as he tried to clear the ball.
Palace’s French striker was given oxygen before being taken to an ambulance and needed 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear.
The clash initially went unpunished by referee Michael Oliver – it was only after a video assistant referee (VAR) intervention that Roberts was sent off.
Roberts’ red card meant he automatically received a three-game ban, but the Football Association (FA) said the punishment was “clearly insufficient” and submitted a claim to a regulatory commission to increase it.
The ban means Roberts will not be able to play again until Saturday, 8 April when Millwall travel to Sheffield United in the Championship.
‘I am devastated by what happened’
Roberts faced criticism after the incident with Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parrish telling BBC Sport it was the “most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen”, while Eagles boss Oliver Glasner described it as a “terrible foul”.
Millwall head coach Alex Neill defended his player after the game saying his challenge was not deliberate.
The goalkeeper suffered what Millwall described as ‘”disgusting” online abuse after the incident, and in a statement Roberts said he was “devastated by what happened”.
“As soon as I could, I reached out to Jean-Philippe personally to apologise, and I was thankful to hear back from him that evening that he was OK and reassured me not to worry,” Roberts said.
“I am devastated by what happened. I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment.
“Furthermore, it has been extremely unpleasant to observe suggestions that I intended to harm a fellow professional. I have categorically never stepped onto a football pitch with the intention of hurting anyone.
“Misleading articles and comments have resulted in an unthinkable amount of abusive messages and threats towards my family and I.
“To the footballing community who know me and reached out with support through this tough time, thank you, I appreciate every single message.”
The written reasons for the Independent Regulatory Commission’s decision will be released in due course.
The FA said: “The standard punishment for this offence was clearly insufficient, and Liam Roberts subsequently denied this.
“Following a hearing, the Regulatory Commission upheld the FA’s claim, set aside the standard three-match punishment, and instead imposed a six-match ban.”
Roberts has been Millwall’s reserve goalkeeper for much of the season – he has played in just two Championship matches after first choice Lukas Jensen suffered an injury in January.
He featured in both Millwall’s Carabao Cup games in August and in his side’s FA Cup fourth and fifth-round ties.
Mateta recovery ‘going as we expected’ – Glasner
It is hoped Mateta will be fit enough to return after the international break when Palace travel to Fulham, with Glasner saying the striker will go on a training trip to Spain next week.
The 27-year-old is Palace’s top scorer with 12 Premier League goals in 27 appearances this season.
“He had no fractures or concussion. Healing from the huge wound is going as we expected,” he said ahead of his side’s Premier League game with Ipswich Town on Saturday.
“He will go to Marbella with us next week and be just training individually. If everything goes how we wish, he will be available versus Fulham.
“We lost JP in this game – we can’t play him tomorrow – but it’s not too bad.”
[BBC]