Source: Skysports
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has been handed a six-match ban for his challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta which hospitalised the Crystal Palace forward.
Roberts’ high boot caused Mateta to have 25 stitches in his left ear after the pair came together to challenge for the ball during last Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Selhurst Park, leading Palace chairman Steve Parish to describe it as “the most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen”.
The Football Association submitted a claim to have the ban extended from the standard three matches, claiming three games was “clearly insufficient” for the offence, and the governing body confirmed on Friday that an independent regulatory panel had issued a six-match suspension to Roberts.
Milwall say they are “disappointed with the outcome, but respect the process that has been undertaken”.
Meanwhile, Roberts says he is “devastated” by what happened and reached out to Mateta “immediately” after the game.
The Lions goalkeeper also said he accepted the sanction in a statement on his club’s website.
