A six-match suspension has been handed down to Liam Roberts as a consequence of his horrifying challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta.
As a result of a flying tackle on the forward, the custodian was shown the red card in the eighth minute of Millwall’s FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace, which was 3-1.
Immediately after being left with a “severe laceration,” Mateta was rushed to the hospital, where he received twenty-five stitches in his ear immediately.
Despite the fact that Palace chairman Steve Parish referred to it as “the most reckless challenge he’d ever seen,” Roberts was initially given a three-match suspension; however, the FA has since increased that suspension by a double amount.
According to a statement released by the Football Association, “An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld The FA’s claim to increase the suspension of Millwall’s Liam Roberts.”
It was around the sixth minute of the Emirates FA Cup match against Crystal Palace that the custodian was shown the red card for committing a serious foul. The match took place on Saturday, March 1.
“The Football Association (FA) asserted that the standard punishment for this offence was obviously inadequate in light of the circumstances, and Liam Roberts subsequently refuted this assertion.
Following a hearing, the Regulatory Commission decided to uphold The FA’s claim, but instead of imposing the standard punishment of three matches, they decided to impose a suspended suspension of six matches.
“The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.”
The statement that Roberts issued also included the following words: “Hello, everyone. I would like to address what has been a really challenging week for everyone involved, including my family and I, as the dust begins to settle over the situation.
To begin, I would like to extend my warmest regards and best wishes to Jean-Philippe during his time of recuperation. I made an effort to personally apologise to Jean-Philippe as soon as I was able to do so. I was relieved to receive a response from him that evening stating that he was perfectly fine and that he had assured me that I should not be concerned.
What took place has left me in utter disbelief. I unequivocally accept the red card that was given to me, and I accept the punishment that was given to me. On top of that, it has been extremely upsetting to be made aware of suggestions that I intended to cause harm to a colleague in the professional world. There is no doubt in my mind that I have never entered a football pitch with the intention of causing harm to another individual.
There have been an unimaginable number of abusive messages and threats directed towards my family and I as a result of articles and comments that include misleading information. All of the members of the footballing community who are familiar with me and have reached out to me for support during this challenging time, please know that I am grateful for each and every message.
Last but not least, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone associated with the Millwall Football Club for their unwavering support. I am looking forward to getting back out on the pitch in front of our supporters because this club has a special sense of community that is truly remarkable.
Kindness is required. Please be careful, Robbo.
For the challenge, the custodian has been subjected to a great deal of criticism.
The “abhorrent online abuse” that had been directed at Roberts in the aftermath of the incident was condemned in a statement that Millwall released on Monday that condemned the behaviour.
After that, Millwall supporters came together to show their support for the custodian who was under fire during the eighth minute of their Championship match against Bristol City.
“Millwall have come out defending their player, and I get it,” said talkSPORT co-host Jason Cundy in response to the situation. When he did what he did to Mateta, I don’t believe he intended to do it.
“It was a truthful challenge, though it was reckless. What I said, and what I continue to say, is that I do not believe it is just a red card and a three-game suspension; I believe it is more than that.
That kind of challenge has no place on the football pitch,” the coach said repeatedly. It’s not just a blow to the head, that’s for sure.
We’ve all been there, and we’ve all played in games, right? I’ve seen kicks in the head, and we’ve all seen it. I would not call that a blow to the head. On the football pitch, there is no play, and that challenge is something that should never be seen.
“Some of the stick that he’s got, I’ve not seen it all, but by all accounts, it’s quite bad.”
When he continued, he said, “But I mean, clapping at eight minutes, drop me out on that one, gentleman.”
What a humiliating situation! This is very embarrassing. In spite of this, Millwall is not the only football club that engages in such embarrassing behaviour.
Almost every club in existence engages in activities that are comparable to these. I’m sorry, but they all do it. Please pray for this player, and please pray for this player. T-shirts are coming out.
xz
