Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has detailed the harrowing incident during the FA Cup match against Millwall that left him with a severe ear injury.
The clash occurred early in the game when Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts’ high boot made contact with Mateta’s head, resulting in a deep laceration to his left ear.
The injury required 25 stitches, and the French forward of Congolese descent was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
He credited a last-moment reflex for preventing a more catastrophic outcome. Despite the severity of the injury, Mateta was determined to continue playing.
“I was afraid I’d have broken bones or blood in my brain. But in fact, my ear was just destroyed.
“A plastic surgeon came and took photos of my ear, which he refused to show me so they wouldn’t stay in my head.”
He added: “At the last moment, I had the reflex to turn my face.
“I was lucky because if I hadn’t, I would have taken his foot right in the head, and it would have been much worse.
“After that, I never lost consciousness. I was lying on the ground, and I said to the doctor, ‘I’m fine, I want to play again.’
“But he, seeing my ear, replied, ‘No, you have to go’.”
The incident led to significant consequences for Roberts. Initially shown a yellow card, the goalkeeper’s foul was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review.
Subsequently, the Football Association extended Roberts’ suspension to six matches, deeming the standard three-match ban “clearly insufficient” given the seriousness of the offense.
Mateta’s recovery is progressing well. He has been seen training individually in Marbella, wearing protective gear over his ear.
While he is not yet participating in full team sessions, there is optimism about his return. Crystal Palace’s coach, Oliver Glasner, expressed hope that Mateta will be fit for the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on March 29.
