Crystal Palace ace Jean-Philippe Mateta was removed on a stretcher and taken to the hospital during his side’s FA Cup match vs. Millwall on Saturday after being the victim of a horror tackle.
Palace chairman and co-owner Steve Parish gave an interview at halftime and called the tackle Mateta suffered, “the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen.”
The incident took place less than 10 minutes into the game when Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts came out of his box and attempted a flying kick to clear the ball. Roberts horribly mistimed the tackle and kicked Mateta in the head.
Parish took aim at Roberts saying that the 30-year-old keeper should know better than to try a tackle like that. Parish added that the Millwall keeper endangered Mateta’s life.
Jean-Philippe Mateta injury vs Millwall and Steve Parish reaction
Roberts received a red card for his challenge. Crystal Palace went on to win the game 3-1 and advance to the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner provided an update on Mateta after the win. The French forward took the studs of Roberts’ cleats to the head and has a big gash near his ear.
"He's conscious and he's in hospital, but his ear obviously looks terrible. Very serious injury, so of course we hope all the best for him and let's see," Glasner said.
