- Roberts was sent off for horror tackle on Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta
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The Football Association have submitted an appeal to extend the three-match suspension of Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts after his horror tackle on Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Roberts was dismissed for serious foul play in the sixth minute of the Lions’ FA Cup defeat at Selhurst Park. The stopper’s reckless action resulted in Mateta suffering a significant laceration that required 25 stitches.
The appeal was submitted on Tuesday. Roberts has until Thursday to respond.
A statement from the FA read: ‘The FA has submitted a claim seeking to increase Liam Roberts’ sanction following his sending off in the FA Cup tie between Millwall and Crystal Palace on Saturday, 1 March.
‘The goalkeeper was sent off for serious foul play around the 6th minute. The FA claims that in the circumstances the standard punishment for this offence is clearly insufficient.
‘Liam Roberts has until Thursday, 6 March, to provide a response.’
Liam Roberts could be hit with a lengthy ban following his high kick to the face of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The Frenchman, who was taken off the pitch on a stretcher, suffered a significant laceration that required 25 stitches.
The FA’s claim is the first in a several step process that could result in Roberts’ lengthy absence from the field of play. Once the Lions have responded, a Regulatory Commission will review the case to determine if the standard punishment should be increased. If the claim is upheld, the commission decides on a new, more severe penalty.
The challenge in question saw Roberts rushing out of his penalty area and colliding with Mateta, making contact with the striker’s head.
The Frenchman was subsequently hospitalised after receiving 10 minutes of medical attention on the pitch and being taken off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace. However, he has since been discharged.
The severity of the incident has prompted widespread criticism. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish described the tackle as ‘the most reckless I’ve ever seen,’ emphasising that it endangered Mateta’s life.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also weighed in on the situation, suggesting that the FA may consider extending Roberts’ ban due to the nature of the challenge.
While Palace’s top scorer was being provided oxygen and transferred to a stretcher to be taken to hospital, Millwall fans sang: ‘Let him die, let him die.’ Severely disappointing.
The Championship club are set to escape punishment for those disgraceful chants as they do not constitute a breach of rules, but the FA have confirmed they are investigating the potentially homophobic songs which were aimed at Ben Chilwell, who is on loan at Palace from Chelsea.
