Jean-Philippe Mateta made a remarkable comeback for Crystal Palace on Saturday after overcoming a significant head injury that left him with a badly lacerated ear and required 25 stitches.
The forward sustained this severe injury after being kicked in the head by Millwall’s goalkeeper, Liam Roberts, during an FA Cup game earlier in the month.
Following the incident, Mateta had been sidelined but returned to Crystal Palace’s starting lineup for the Cup quarterfinal match against Fulham.
Mateta’s injury occurred in a dramatic episode when Roberts rushed out of the penalty area to clear a ball and inadvertently caught the French striker with a high kick.
The incident led to Roberts’ ejection from the game, while Mateta was stretchered off and taken to the hospital for urgent treatment.
Crystal Palace’s chairman, Steve Parish, described the tackle as “the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen.”
Palace ultimately won the match 3-1.
In the aftermath, Roberts initially faced a three-match suspension, which was increased to six games following a review by the English Football Association, citing the need for additional penalties.
The goalkeeper later disclosed that he had received numerous abusive messages and threats.
In an interview, Mateta shared that Roberts reached out to him with an apology while he was in the hospital.
Mateta recounted, “Liam contacted me and texted me while I was in hospital and I told him: ‘It is OK, it is football.’”
Mateta emphasized that he did not believe Roberts intended harm, saying, “I don’t think he woke up and thought ‘I want to cut the head of JP.’ There is a lot of pressure.
He wanted to do good; too much emotion makes you do crazy things. It was just a mistake. You learn from it.”