FA submits claim to extend Liam Roberts’ ban for Jean-Philippe Mateta challenge

Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts is facing the prospect of a longer ban for his challenge which hospitalised Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Roberts was sent off after kicking Mateta in the head as the pair raced towards the ball early on in Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie, with Mateta requiring 25 stitches.

The Football Association confirmed on Wednesday it had submitted a claim seeking a longer ban for Roberts, stating that the standard three-match sanction for serious foul play was “clearly insufficient” in this case.

Roberts has until Thursday to provide a response, the FA said.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish described Roberts’ challenge as the “most reckless” he has seen, while television and media personality Piers Morgan called the incident “shameful”.

Palace confirmed Mateta had been discharged from hospital on Saturday evening after Roberts’ challenge left him with a severe laceration to his left ear.

Millwall issued a statement on Monday saying they were “disgusted” at the abuse directed towards Roberts.

“The reporting on the matter, as well as disgraceful suggestions made by certain news organisations and high-profile figures within the sport that Liam intended to harm Jean-Philippe, has contributed to the unwarranted character assassination of Liam and fuelled abhorrent online abuse towards him,” the club statement added.

“No player at Millwall Football Club steps onto the pitch with the intent to harm another, and the club will continue to support Liam, who reached out to Jean-Philippe personally on Saturday evening with an apology which was accepted immediately.”

Millwall supporters held a minute’s applause in solidarity with Roberts in Tuesday’s Championship match against Bristol City, at the same point in the match when he had been sent off against Palace.