Millwall’s goalkeeper, Liam Roberts, may face a significant suspension of up to eight matches due to his reckless challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during their recent encounter. The Football Association (FA) has announced it is appealing for a more severe punishment, following the straight red card that Roberts received, which automatically incurs a three-match ban. A regulatory commission will now evaluate whether to impose a harsher penalty after the FA’s recommendation.
It is quite uncommon for the FA to appeal a red card for serious foul play, but there is historical precedent that might shape the outcome of this case. For example, in 2006, Ben Thatcher of Manchester City was handed an eight-match suspension for a notorious elbow challenge that left Pedro Mendes unconscious, a moment that remains one of the most infamous incidents in Premier League history. The regulatory commission must now consider whether Roberts’ actions warrant a comparable punishment, as both challenges have been scrutinized for their dangerous nature.
Initially, referee Michael Oliver issued Roberts a yellow card, but this decision was overturned by VAR. Notably, Oliver will not officiate any matches this weekend, likely in light of the controversy surrounding this incident. Mateta received immediate medical attention on the field, including oxygen, before being transported to a hospital by ambulance. Reports indicate that the 27-year-old required 25 stitches to treat a severe laceration to his left ear.
According to the FA’s own regulations, they can propose an extended ban if they conclude that the infraction is “truly exceptional” and that the standard three-match penalty is “clearly insufficient.”
Longest Premier League Bans for On-Pitch Offences
All bans handed out by the FA
- Eric Cantona (Manchester United) – nine months: Infamously kung-fu kicked a Crystal Palace fan, a moment that needs little elaboration.
- Joey Barton (Queens Park Rangers) – 12 matches: Prior to Sergio Aguero’s legendary goal, Barton was sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez, followed by kicking Aguero and nearly headbutting Vincent Kompany.
- Paolo Di Canio (Sheffield Wednesday) – 11 games: Pushing over a referee, as Di Canio did to Alcock, is never a wise move.
- Luis Suarez (Liverpool) – 10 games: Biting is a serious offense; Suarez learned this lesson multiple times, including during his infamous bite on Branislav Ivanovic.
- David Prutton (Southampton) – 10 games: Another incident involving a push on a referee, this time directed at Alan Wiley in 2005.
The FA released a statement outlining, “The FA has submitted a claim seeking to increase Liam Roberts’ sanction following his sending-off in the FA Cup tie between Millwall and Crystal Palace on Saturday, March 1. The goalkeeper was sent off for serious foul play around the 6th minute. The FA claims that under the circumstances, the standard punishment for this offense is clearly insufficient.” Roberts has until Thursday, March 6, to provide a response.
Millwall has vocally defended Roberts, claiming that the reaction from “certain news organizations and high-profile figures” has led to an “unwarranted character assassination” of him and has fueled abhorrent online abuse. They emphasized, “No player at Millwall Football Club steps on to the pitch with the intent to harm another, and the club will continue to support Liam, who personally reached out to Jean-Philippe on Saturday evening with an apology that was accepted immediately.”
This statement followed Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish‘s remarks, labeling the challenge as the “most reckless” he had ever witnessed in football and suggesting that Roberts should take a “long, hard look at himself” for endangering another player’s safety. Palace manager Oliver Glasner also commented, stating, “I’m pretty sure he didn’t want to injure JP in this situation, but you have to recognize that when you make such an impact, it’s simply unacceptable.”
Since joining Millwall on a free transfer from Middlesbrough last summer, Roberts has appeared in six matches, primarily serving as a backup for regular starter Lukas Jensen, who replaced him during the match at Selhurst Park. Meanwhile, referee Michael Oliver will refrain from officiating any matches this weekend due to the backlash regarding his decision to allow play to continue following the collision between Mateta and Roberts.
