Jean-Philippe Mateta was rushed to hospital after a shocking challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
The Crystal Palace striker took a boot to the head in a moment of madness from Roberts during the fifth-round FA Cup clash.
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Roberts was sent off for serious foul play after a shocking challengeCredit: Getty
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Play was halted for eight minutes amid concerns over MatetaCredit: Getty
Mateta was rushing onto a through ball and Roberts travelled outside his box to clear with his foot.
The goalkeeper collided with the striker’s head at speed and was eventually shown a red card after referee Michael Oliver reviewed the incident at the pitchside VAR monitor.
Nine medics arrived on the scene to treat Mateta – who was laid out on the turf for eight minutes.
The Frenchman was then lifted onto a stretcher while being administered oxygen – and immediately taken to hospital from a pitchside ambulance.
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With the Eagles 2-1 up at half-time, chairman Steve Parish delivered a rare interview to give an update on Mateta and express his fury with Roberts’ challenge.
Parish told the BBC: “He’s got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury, he’s at the hospital. We hope for the best.
“You know, there’s a lot of emotion in football, but we need to talk about that challenge. In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve never seen a challenge like it.
“I looked to see how old the keeper was and he’s 30-years old.
“That’s the most reckless challenge on a football pitch, I think I’ve ever seen.
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A number of medics rushed onto the scene to treat MatetaCredit: Getty
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There was a lengthy stoppage before Mateta could be put on a stretcherCredit: Getty
“I think he needs to have a long, hard look at himself that lad. He’s endangering another professional with a challenge like that.
“It’s very difficult for me to talk about the rest of the game because we’re worried about JP and it’s just a terrible, terrible challenge.”
When asked what he thought of the Palace response, Parish added: “They’re professionals and that’s another thing, they’re all professionals out there and they’ve got to treat each other like professionals.
“They have a duty of care towards their fellow professionals and that goalkeeper hasn’t had one. Credit to the players for carrying on.
“It’s difficult for me to think about anything else with JP in hospital.
“As I say, in all my time watching football, I think someone mentioned there was one in the World Cup in 1982 like it, but it’s a dreadful challenge.
“And why the referee needed to go to the screen, I have no idea.”
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Oliver needed to be sent to the screen by VAR officials after initially waving play-onCredit: Getty
Reacting on commentary, ex-Chelsea defender Scott Minto was left appalled by the goalkeeper’s challenge.
“That is reckless,” talkSPORT’s co-commentator said. “It’s not even chest or shoulder. He’s followed through and caught him on his head.
“That’s a really dangerous challenge. It’s dangerous, it’s reckless, it’s a red card. Go with your head.”
He added: “It’s a horrible tackle. I could believe him if he said there was no malice. But it doesn’t matter.
“The way he’s caught him – that’s horrible. Mateta will do well to get up from that.”
Mateta has been a superstar for Oliver Glasner’s side this season, scoring 12 goals in 27 Premier League matches.
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Medics were seen calling for an ambulance to be brought pitchsideCredit: Getty
No top-flight player has scored more goals than the 27-year-old in 2025 – with eight since the turn of the year.
In the last 12 months, only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has contributed to more goals in the Premier League than Mateta.
Analysing the striker on the talkSPORT Weekend Breakfast show, ex-Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino tipped Mateta for a big summer transfer.
Cascarino said: “Palace are going to have a job keeping hold of him. Because when we look at strikers sometimes and we go, ‘Does he tick the box for a certain club?’
“Well, I’ll tell you what, there’ll be a lot of clubs who would be looking at him.
“I watched him when he played at Le Havre. I watched him as a very young player. And then he ended up going to Germany, Mainz and all that. And then he’s made his way to England, where he struggled originally. But he’s become a way more complete player.
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“He uses his strength. Technically he’s got better as well. His relationship with all the players he’s playing with has really worked for him.
“And now it feels like he’s an absolute nailed on certainty within their team. He’s one of their main players now.”
