Millwall goalkeeper handed extended ban for horror challenge on Mateta
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has seen his ban for his horror challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta extended.
Roberts was shown a straight red card during Saturday’s FA Cup clash between the south London rivals for what Palace chairman Steve Parish described as ‘the most reckless challenge I have ever seen’.
Mateta required oxygen on the pitch and was taken to hospital where he required 25 stiches in his left ear.
Roberts was set to serve a standard three-match suspension but will now sit out Millwall’s next six games.
In a statement released on Friday, the FA described the initial ban as ‘clearly insufficient’.
‘An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld The FA’s claim to increase the suspension of Millwall’s Liam Roberts,’ the statement said.
‘The goalkeeper was sent off on Saturday 1 March, for serious foul play around the 6th minute of the Emirates FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace.
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‘The FA claimed that – in the circumstances – the standard punishment for this offence was clearly insufficient, and Liam Roberts subsequently denied this.
‘Following a hearing, the Regulatory Commission upheld The FA’s claim, set aside the standard three-match punishment, and instead imposed a six-match ban.
‘The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.’
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