Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has received a ban on six matches after kicking Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in the head during last weekend’s FA Cup draw.
It was reported earlier this week that FA was asking for a prolonged suspension after Roberts’ horror challenge, and confirmed the decision of an independent committee on Friday afternoon.
The FA statement said: ‘An independent regulatory commission confirmed FA’s claim to increase the suspension of Millwall Liam Roberts.
‘The goalkeeper was expelled on Saturday, March 1, for a serious dirty game around 6 minutes from the FA Cup draw against Crystal Palace.
‘FA claimed that – in the circumstances – the standard punishment for this offense was clearly insufficient, and Liam Roberts later denied this.
‘After a hearing, the Regulatory Commission confirmed the FA claim, set aside the standard punishment of three matches and imposed a ban of six matches.
Liam Roberts was banned for six matches after her red card last weekend
Roberts hospitalized Jean-Philippe Mateta after kicking him on the head
Roberts revealed that he apologized to the Mateta, but hit people who sent him abusive messages after the challenge
‘The written reasons for the regulatory committee for their decisions will be published in due time.’
Roberts responded to the long ban with his own statement released on the official Millwall website.
He revealed that he had sought matet to apologize for the incident, but denied that there was some malice behind his tackle and hit the abusive messages he received after Saturday’s game.
Roberts wrote in his statement: ‘While dust calms down, I want to address what has been a really difficult week for all involved, including my family and me.
First, to Jean-Philippe, to whom I keep sending my best votes in your recovery. As soon as I could, I contacted personally with Jean-Philippe to apologize and I was grateful to receive an answer from him that night he was fine and assured me not to worry.
I am devastated with what happened. I unequivocally accept the red card as granted and accept my punishment. In addition, it was extremely unpleasant to observe suggestions that I intended to harm a professional colleague. Categorically, I never stepped on a soccer field with the intention of hurting someone.
‘Mistakes and misleading comments resulted in an unthinkable amount of abusive messages and threats to my family and me. For the soccer community that knows me and extended my hand with support at this difficult time, thank you, I thank all the messages.
Finally, I want to thank everyone connected to the Millwall Football Club for their continuous support. The union throughout this club is unique, and I can barely wait to go back in front of our fans.
Be kind. Take care, Robbo. ‘
There was immediate indignation after Roberts’ challenge last weekend, who saw the French striker take to the hospital, where he demanded 25 points for a significant ear cut.
MATETA received an oxygen mask before being removed from the field on a stretcher
Palace President Steve Parish Fumed, that Roberts’ tackle was the ‘most reckless challenge he has ever seen’
Roberts admitted that it has been a ‘difficult week’ after he was widely criticized for his challenge
Palace President Steve Parish talked to BBC at break and did not hold on to his assessment of Roberts’s karate kick.
‘All the time I watched football, I didn’t see a challenge like him. I looked to see how old the goalkeeper was and he is 30 years old, ‘he hindered me.
“This is the most reckless challenge in a soccer field that I think I’ve seen and he needs to have a long look at this boy, because he’s endangering a professional colleague – and maybe even his life with such a challenge.”
Millwall fans were heard singing ‘Let Him Die, Let Him Die’ while matette received field treatment before receiving oxygen and being transferred to a stretcher.
They then performed a minute of applause to Roberts in the eighth minute – the same point that he was sent off to kick Matter – during the Tuesday championship confrontation with Bristol City.
