Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has waited to hear if he will receive a longer ban for his challenge at Jean Philippe-Mateta after a FA challenge
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts received a ban of six games last weekend for his challenge at Jean Philippe-Mateta.
The 30-year-old was shown a red card around the sixth minute of Millwall's FA Cup Tie with Crystal Palace by Michael Oliver after catching Mateta with a high boot. The striker was then taken to the hospital and required 25 stitches for a crack on his left ear.
It emerged on Wednesday morning that the FA insisted on stricter sanctions that would be placed on Roberts, with the argument that the standard ban of three games for serious error game was 'clearly insufficient'.
A statement on the website of the FA that confirms the prohibition on Friday afternoon was: “An independent regulatory committee has confirmed the claim of the FA to increase the suspension of Millwall's Liam Roberts.
“The keeper was sent away on Saturday, March 1, for serious false game around the 6th minute of the Emirates FA Cup -Easy game against Crystal Palace.
“The FA claimed that – in the given circumstances – the default sentence for this violation was clearly insufficient, and Liam Roberts then denied this. After a hearing, the regulating committee confirmed the claim of the FA, the standard three -match punishment aside and imposed a six -match ban instead.
“The written reasons of the regulatory committee for its decisions will be published in due course.”
Millwall issued a statement in which it was confirmed that they were 'disappointed' with such a result.
The club wrote: “Millwall Football Club has been informed by the Football Association that Liam Roberts has received an extra suspension of three games after his red card against Crystal Palace on Saturday 1 March 2025.
“Although the club is disappointed about the outcome, it respects the process that has been undertaken.”
Roberts, who apologized privately to Mateta after last Saturday's game, also noticed. He said: “Hello everyone. While the dust covers, I want to address what a very difficult week has been for all those involved, including my family and me.
“First, to Jean-Philippe, which I continue to send my best wishes in his recovery. As soon as I could, I reach personal contact with Jean-Philippe to apologize, and I was grateful to hear him that he was in order that evening and reassured that he was not worried.
“I am devastated what happened. I accept the red card unambiguously as awarded and accept my punishment. Moreover, it has been extremely unpleasant to observe suggestions that I intended to harm a colleague professional. I have never categorically stepped on a football field with the intention of hurting someone.
“Matring articles and comments have resulted in an unthinkable amount of insulting messages and threats towards my family and I to the football community that know me and with support through this difficult time, thank you, I appreciate every message.
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