Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was rushed to the hospital after a shocking high boot challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in their FA Cup clash on Saturday.
Roberts was sent off just eight minutes into the game after catching Mateta’s head while attempting to clear the ball. Initially, referee Michael Oliver missed the incident, but after a VAR review, he brandished a straight red card.
Mateta, who has been in stellar form with 15 goals this season, received oxygen on the pitch before being stretchered off and transported to the hospital. Palace chairman Steve Parish did not hold back his frustration, calling the challenge “the most reckless” he has ever seen.
“That was a dangerous, life-threatening challenge. He (Roberts) needs to take a long hard look at himself,” Parish told the BBC.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed that Mateta was conscious but suffering from a severe ear injury.
“His ear looks terrible. It’s a very serious injury, so we just hope for the best,” Glasner said, admitting that the incident overshadowed his team’s 3-1 victory.
Parish even compared the horror clash to the infamous 1982 World Cup collision between German goalkeeper Toni Schumacher and French forward Patrick Battiston, which left Battiston unconscious with broken teeth and cracked ribs.
With a man advantage, Palace took control of the match. Japhet Tanganga’s own goal gave them the lead, followed by strikes from Daniel Muñoz and Eddie Nketiah.
Meanwhile, in another FA Cup shocker, Preston North End thrashed Burnley 3-0 in a fiery encounter, with the entire Burnley squad snubbing Preston’s Milutin Osmajić before kickoff over a racism controversy.
As Palace celebrate a quarter-final spot, all eyes remain on Mateta’s recovery, with fans hoping for positive news on his condition.
