# Millwall decry ‘character assassination’ of Roberts after challenge on Mateta

## Goalkeeper sent off for head-high tackle on forward
## FA may seek to have three-match ban extended

Millwall have condemned the “character assassination” of Liam Roberts, as they await a possible extended ban for the goalkeeper’s challenge on Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta in  on Saturday.

The Championship club have pushed back against what they call “disgraceful suggestions” made against their keeper, after the high challenge that left Mateta with a head injury  five minutes into the game.

Mateta was discharged from hospital at the weekend with 25 stitches in his left ear but at half-time at the match, Steve Parish, the Crystal Palace chair, . But Millwall have hit out against the widespread criticism directed at Roberts, and commentators who suggested the player set out to harm Mateta.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon,  said: “The club are disgusted by abuse directed towards goalkeeper Liam Roberts following Saturday’s unfortunate collision with Jean‑Philippe Mateta.

“The reporting on the matter, as well as disgraceful suggestions made by certain news organisations and high-profile figures within the sport that Liam intended to harm Jean-Philippe, has contributed to the unwarranted character assassination of Liam and fuelled abhorrent online abuse towards him.

“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 reached out to Jean-Philippe personally on Saturday evening with an apology which was accepted immediately. The club are pleased to hear positive updates from Jean-Philippe and wish him the best in his recovery.”

Roberts is facing a three-match ban for his tackle, but the FA has the power to request an extended punishment by submitting a claim that the challenge was “truly exceptional” and the sanction “clearly insufficient”.  was in discussions on Monday over how to proceed, with any request needing to be formally made before a deadline of 1pm on Tuesday.

## Related Articles

 Read more

## Sign up to Football Daily

Free daily newsletter

Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football

Enter your email address

Sign up

**Privacy Notice:** Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google  and  apply.

## Explore More Topics

* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 

## Most viewed

* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
```