Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has expressed deep concern over the severe injury sustained by striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during their FA Cup victory against Millwall.
The incident, which occurred just eight minutes into the match, involved a high challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, resulting in a serious laceration to Mateta’s left ear.
Mateta, who has roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was immediately attended to on the field before being transported to the hospital, where he received 25 stitches.
Glasner, reflecting on the incident, remarked, “Honestly, I didn’t want to see it, I just watched it and it is terrible, terrible.”
The match proceeded with Millwall reduced to ten men following Roberts’ red card, and Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 win to advance to the quarter-finals.
However, the victory was overshadowed by concerns for Mateta’s well-being.
“We are not really happy. We can’t be really happy. Of course it’s a great win and we are into the quarter-finals, but when you lose a player, especially with a foul like this, you have two different feelings in your stomach.
“Honestly, I didn’t want to see it. I just watched it and it’s terrible. I’m sure the goalkeeper didn’t want to injure JP in this situation, no player wants this. But if you get to the ball with this intensity, with the foot at this height, you cannot do that. It’s so dangerous and we all have responsibilities for our health.
“I don’t want to blame him (Roberts), but it is a terrible foul. I didn’t see it in the game, it was so quick. I could see the goalkeeper had a lot of intensity, but he touched the ball first. I have seen it now in slow motion, and it is worse.”
