Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is now “conscious” and recovering after being taken to hospital following a dangerous incident during Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash against Millwall. The 26-year-old was kicked in the face by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the eighth minute of the match, leading to a shocking scene that left fans and players deeply concerned.
Referee Michael Oliver initially showed Roberts a yellow card for the challenge but upgraded it to a straight red after reviewing the incident on a VAR monitor. The reckless tackle drew strong criticism from Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish, who described it as “the most reckless challenge” he had ever seen. Parish also revealed that Mateta suffered a gash behind his ear and was rushed to a local hospital for further treatment.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner provided an update after the match, confirming that Mateta was “conscious” and receiving medical attention. Later on Saturday, Mateta took to social media to reassure fans about his condition. He wrote, “I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon and stronger than ever. Well done, guys, for the great job today.”
The incident overshadowed what was otherwise a strong performance by Crystal Palace, who secured a 2-1 victory over Millwall to advance to the next round of the FA Cup. However, the focus remains on Mateta’s recovery and the implications of Roberts’ reckless challenge.
Fans and teammates have rallied around Mateta, sending messages of support and wishing him a speedy recovery. The incident has also reignited discussions about player safety and the need for stricter enforcement of rules to prevent such dangerous tackles in the future.
As Mateta continues his recovery, Daily Mentor News Online will keep you updated on his progress and provide further details on this developing story.
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