Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is in hospital with a “very serious” head injury following a horror challenge during Saturday’s FA Cup match against Millwall.
The French forward was on the receiving end of a high boot from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts just eight minutes into the game at Selhurst Park.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Mateta is conscious but revealed “his ear looks terrible” after the incident.
The challenge, which resulted in a straight red card for Roberts, has been condemned by Palace chairman Steve Parish as “the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen”.
Jean-Philippe Mateta suffered a horrific head injury against Millwall
Reuters
The incident occurred in the opening minutes of the match when Mateta challenged for a high ball just outside the area.
Roberts rushed out of his box and caught the Palace striker’s head with his high boot.
Referee Michael Oliver initially missed the severity of the challenge before checking the pitchside monitor and showing Roberts a straight red card.
Mateta received nearly 10 minutes of medical treatment on the pitch, including oxygen, before being stretchered off.
The challenge was described as “mistimed” by Millwall head coach Alex Neil, who admitted he hadn’t seen the incident back.
Parish gave an unprecedented half-time interview to express his fury at the challenge.
“I’ve never seen a challenge like it… that’s the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I’ve ever seen,” he told Sky Sports.
“He needs to have a long, hard look at himself because he’s endangering a fellow professional with a challenge like that.”
Glasner was similarly critical but more measured in his assessment.
“I’m sure that the goalkeeper didn’t want to injure JP in this situation because no player wants this,” he said.
“But if you go for the ball like this with the intensity in the head, you just can’t do it because it’s so dangerous.”
Oliver Glasner gave an update on Jean-Philippe Mateta’s conditions
Reuters
Speaking after the match, Glasner provided an update on Mateta’s condition.
“He is conscious and he is in hospital. His ear looks terrible. It’s a very serious injury so we hope all the best for him,” the Palace boss told BBC Sport.
The injury has overshadowed Palace’s cup progress for Glasner.
“We are not really happy, we can’t be really happy. Of course, it’s a great win and into the quarter-finals but when you lose a player, especially with a foul like this, you have two different feelings in your stomach,” he added.
Glasner later confirmed Mateta will miss Palace’s next match against Ipswich.
Despite the distressing injury, Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 victory over their south London rivals to advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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Jean-Philippe Mateta was stretchered off against Millwall
Reuters
An own goal from Japhet Tanganga put Palace ahead, with Daniel Muñoz and Eddie Nketiah – who replaced the injured Mateta – adding further goals.
Millwall, playing with 10 men for most of the match, managed to score through Wes Harding in first-half stoppage time.
Palace will now await Sunday’s quarter-final draw, which takes place after Manchester United’s match against Fulham.
Glasner revealed he was “hopeful” Mateta might recover in time for the quarter-finals at the end of March.