Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta defends Millwall’s Liam Roberts after head injury

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has defended Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, saying that “too much emotion makes you do crazy things”.

Mateta needed 25 stitches to his left ear after being kicked in the head by Roberts during Palace’s FA Cup win on 1 March.

Roberts was sent off, while the French striker, 27, was stretchered off the field before being taken to hospital.

Roberts, 30, contacted Mateta that evening to apologise before being targeted by social media abuse.

In an interview with Sky Sports,, external Mateta said: “Liam texted me while I was in hospital and I told him ‘it is OK, it is football’. He apologised. He was worried.”

Roberts’ ban has been extended from three games to six but Mateta does not believe there was malicious intent in the challenge and called the social media abuse “crazy”.

“I don’t think he woke up and thought ‘I want to cut the head off JP’,” Mateta added.

“There is a lot of pressure. He wanted to do good, [but] too much emotion makes you do crazy things. It was just a mistake. You learn from it.”

Mateta travelled with Palace for a training camp in Marbella last week and trained individually.

Although Mateta missed Palace’s league win over Ipswich, Eagles boss Oliver Glasner said he hoped his team’s top scorer would be fit for their FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on 29 March.

Asked when he would be able to play again, Mateta replied: “I don’t know. I’m still in touch with the specialists and the doctor. Hopefully soon. Hopefully I can play [against Fulham].”

And when he does return, the former Mainz and Lyon striker said he will wear a face mask while the stitches continue to heal.

“I need to wear a mask, I need to wear something,” he said. “I will take the best one that is most comfortable.”