FA Cup: Brutal foul in England: goalkeeper meets ex-Mainz on the head

A brutal foul overshadowed the FA Cup game between Crystal Palace and second division FC Millwall (3-1). In the round of 16 of the two London football clubs, Millwall keeper Liam Roberts hurried out of his goal a few minutes after the game started to clarify the ball at head height of Palace player Jean-Philippe Mateta. During the completely missed attempt, Roberts hit the former Mainz striker with the tunnels of his left shoe on the side of his head.

The 27 -year -old attacker remained in the initial phase after the collision and had to be supplied with oxygen via a mask. After several minutes, Mateta was brought from the square and the hospital on a stretcher. The striker is the best scorer of the Palace team, which was supervised by ex-Bundesliga coach Oliver Glasner with twelve goals so far.

Glasner: Ear looks terrible

“He is conscious and he is in the hospital. His ear looks terrible. It is a very serious injury,” said the Austrian after the game in the BBC. Glasner’s joy about the victory was at most damped because he had to think of the video of the scene. “After seeing it, it is difficult to talk about the game.” Palace chairman Steve Parish judged: “That was the most ruthless attack on a soccer field I have ever seen.”

Millwall coach: no intention

Referee Michael Oliver initially did not even show the yellow card to 30-year-old Roberts. He only revised his decision after the video evidence was used and sent the goalkeeper from the field with red after he had also looked at the scene on the screen.

Millwall’s coach Alex Neil said Roberts had misjudged and Mateta did not foule on purpose. “We don’t want the boy to be hurt. We wish him all the best and hope that he will soon be back on the pitch.”