Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has been handed a six-game ban for his kick on Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta after an independent panel upheld the English Football Association’s (FA) claim to lengthen the punishment.
Roberts was shown a red card for the offence in the sixth minute of the FA Cup clash last Saturday for serious foul play after charging out at Mateta and kicking him in the head, leaving the Frenchman with a deep laceration that needed 25 stitches.
The FA said on Wednesday that the standard punishment of a three-game ban was not sufficient for the tackle and requested a longer ban, which has been imposed after a hearing with the Regulatory Commission.
Roberts released a statement on Friday after the ban was announced.
“Firstly, to Jean-Philippe, who I continue to send my best wishes to in his recovery,” he said. “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.
“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.”
Palace manager Oliver Glasner gave an update on Mateta’s injury in his Friday news conference, revealing that the striker — who has scored the most Premier League goals of any player in 2025 — suffered no concussion or fracture in the incident, and is recovering well at home.
“He will go to Marbella with us next week and he will be just training individually. If everything goes how we wish, he will be available against Fulham [after the March international break],” Glasner said.
Palace chairman Steve Parish described the tackle as “the most reckless challenge” he’d ever seen after his team’s win, while Millwall shared a statement supporting their player in the aftermath after what they described as “character assassination” in the media.
The full written reasons for the Regulatory Commission’s judgment have yet to be published.