Millwall Goalkeeper Liam Roberts Faces Extended Ban
In a significant development, Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has received an extended six-match ban following his dangerous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during a recent match. The initial incident resulted in a straight red card, which triggered an automatic three-match suspension. However, the Football Association (FA) appealed for a more severe punishment, and a regulatory commission has sided with the FA, leading to an additional three matches being added to Roberts’ ban.
Millwall expressed their disappointment with the ruling but acknowledged the process that took place. In an official statement, the club remarked that they “respected the process that has been undertaken.”
Roberts’ Statement on the Incident
In light of the situation, Roberts took the opportunity to address the public regarding what he described as a “really difficult week” for himself and his family. He stated, “Firstly, to Jean-Philippe, I continue to send my best wishes to him in his recovery. As soon as I could, I reached out to him personally to apologise, and I was thankful to hear back from him that evening that he was okay and reassured me not to worry.”
Roberts expressed his devastation over the incident, saying, “I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment. Furthermore, it has been extremely unpleasant to observe suggestions that I intended to harm a fellow professional. I have categorically never stepped onto a football pitch with the intention of hurting anyone.” He also mentioned that he had been subjected to an “unthinkable amount” of abuse and threats directed towards his family, which he attributed to “misleading articles and comments.”
Longest Premier League Bans for On-Pitch Offences
All bans handed out by the FA
- Eric Cantona (Man Utd) – nine months: He infamously kung-fu kicked a Crystal Palace fan, an incident that requires little elaboration.
- Joey Barton (QPR) – 12 matches: Barton was sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez in the head before kicking Sergio Aguero and nearly headbutting Vincent Kompany.
- Paolo Di Canio (Sheffield Wednesday) – 11 games: Di Canio received a lengthy ban for pushing over referee Alcock.
- Luis Suarez (Liverpool) – 10 games: Suarez faced multiple bans for biting, including an incident involving Branislav Ivanovic.
- David Prutton (Southampton) – 10 games: Prutton was banned for pushing referee Alan Wiley in 2005.
Referee Michael Oliver initially issued Roberts a yellow card, which was later overturned by VAR. Oliver has since not been assigned to officiate any matches this weekend. Mateta required urgent medical attention on the pitch, receiving oxygen before being transported to the hospital, where he received 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear.
Millwall defended Roberts robustly, accusing “certain news organizations” of conducting an “unwarranted character assassination” against him. They affirmed, “No player at Millwall Football Club steps onto the pitch with the intent to harm another, and the club will continue to support Liam, who reached out to Jean-Philippe personally on Saturday evening with an apology that was accepted immediately.”
Palace Officials Respond to the Incident
Following the incident, Palace chairman Steve Parish characterized the challenge as the “most reckless” he had ever witnessed on a football pitch, suggesting that Roberts should take a “long, hard look at himself” for endangering a fellow professional. Palace manager Oliver Glasner added, “I’m pretty sure he didn’t want to injure JP in this situation, but I also think that when you make such an impact, you simply can’t do it in that manner.”
Since joining Millwall on a free transfer from Middlesbrough last summer, Roberts has made six appearances, primarily serving as a backup for regular starter Lukas Jensen, who replaced him during the match at Selhurst Park.
