*** Palace’s Mateta in hospital after ‘reckless’ horror challenge | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Palace’s Mateta in hospital after ‘reckless’ horror challenge

AFP | London

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Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish branded the challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts that left Jean Philippe-Mateta in hospital as “the most reckless” he has ever seen.

Roberts was sent-off just eight minutes into yesterday’s FA Cup fifth round tie, which Palace won 3-1, after catching Mateta’s head with his boot as he raced out to clear the ball.

Referee Michael Oliver only issued a red card after a VAR review.

Mateta received lengthy treatment, including oxygen, on the pitch before being stretchered to an ambulance and transported to hospital.

“What we know, he’s got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury. Obviously he’s at the hospital. So, we hope for the best,” Parish told the BBC.

“That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen and I think he needs to have a long hard look at himself, that lad, because he’s endangering a fellow professional, maybe in his life, with a challenge like that.”

Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Mateta is conscious but that he has suffered a serious injury to his ear.