Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has reassured fans he is doing well after being hospitalized following a dangerous challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts during their FA Cup fifth-round clash.
Roberts was sent off just eight minutes into the match, which Palace won 3-1, after his boot caught Mateta’s head while rushing out to clear the ball. Referee Michael Oliver initially took no action but upgraded the foul to a red card after a VAR review.
Mateta received oxygen and extensive treatment on the pitch before being stretchered into an ambulance and taken to the 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 the 27-year-old had been discharged, stating:
“He received specialist treatment and 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear. All scans were clear, and JP is feeling well. He will now rest and recuperate over the following days, with his progress monitored by our club doctor.”
Palace manager Oliver Glasner was relieved the injury was not worse, emphasizing the severity of the challenge.
“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,” Glasner said.
“I’m pretty sure he (Roberts) didn’t intend to injure JP, but when you make such an impact, you just can’t do it in that way.”
Mateta had been in top form before the incident, scoring eight goals in his previous nine games and netting 15 times in total for Palace this season. He also helped France win silver at the Paris Olympics last year, scoring five goals.
Palace chairman Steve Parish condemned the tackle, calling it “the most reckless challenge” he had ever witnessed.
“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.”
Despite the incident, Palace capitalized on their numerical advantage to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. Japhet Tanganga’s own goal broke Millwall’s resistance before Daniel Muñoz added a second.
Wes Harding pulled one back for Millwall in first-half stoppage time—extended due to Mateta’s treatment—but Eddie Nketiah sealed Palace’s win in the 82nd minute with a looping header.
