Liam Roberts handed SIX-match ban for horror karate kick on Jean-Philippe Mateta as Millwall keeper breaks silence and apologises to Crystal Palace star after ‘difficult week’

Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has been handed a six-match ban after kicking Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta in the head during last weekend’s FA Cup tie.

It was reported earlier this week that the FA were calling for an extended suspension following Roberts’ horror challenge, and they confirmed an independent commission’s decision on Friday afternoon.

The FA statement read: ‘An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld The FA’s claim to increase the suspension of Millwall’s Liam Roberts.

‘The goalkeeper was sent off on Saturday, 1 March, for serious foul play around the 6th minute of the FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace.

‘The FA claimed that – in the circumstances – the standard punishment for this offence was clearly insufficient, and Liam Roberts subsequently denied this.

‘Following a hearing, the Regulatory Commission upheld The FA’s claim, set aside the standard three-match punishment, and instead imposed a six-match ban.

‘The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.’

Roberts responded to the lengthy ban with his own statement released on Millwall’s official website.

He revealed that he had reached out to Mateta to apologise for the incident, but denied there was any malice behind his tackle and hit out at the abusive messages he has received in the aftermath of Saturday’s game.

Roberts wrote in his statement: ‘As the dust settles, I want to address what has been a really difficult week for all concerned, including my family and I.

‘Firstly, to Jean-Philippe, who I continue to send my best wishes to in his recovery. As soon as I could, I reached out to Jean-Philippe personally to apologise, and I was thankful to hear back from him that evening that he was OK and reassured me not to worry.

‘I am devastated by what happened. I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment. Furthermore, it has been extremely unpleasant to observe suggestions that I intended to harm a fellow professional. I have categorically never stepped onto a football pitch with the intention of hurting anyone.

‘Misleading articles and comments have resulted in an unthinkable amount of abusive messages and threats towards my family and I. To the footballing community who know me and reached out with support through this tough time, thank you, I appreciate every single message.

‘Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody connected to Millwall Football Club for their continued support. The togetherness throughout this club is unique, and I can’t wait to be back out on the pitch in front of our fans.

Be kind. Take care, Robbo.’

There was immediate outrage after Roberts’ challenge on Mateta last weekend, which saw the French forward taken to hospital where he required 25 stitches to a significant cut to his ear.

Palace chairman Steve Parish spoke to the BBC at half-time and did not hold back in his assessment of Roberts’ karate kick.

‘In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve not seen a challenge like it. I looked to see how old the keeper was and he’s 30 years old,’ he fumed.

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

Millwall fans were heard singing ‘let him die, let him die’ while Mateta received treatment on the pitch before he received oxygen and was transferred onto a stretcher.

They then held a minute’s applause for Roberts in the eighth minute – the same point at which he was sent off for kicking Mateta – during Tuesday’s Championship clash with Bristol City.

More to follow…