The entire football world was shocked and terrified after Millwall custodian Liam Roberts’ horrendous tackle on Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta during last Saturday’s FA Cup clash between the two sides. The Frenchman had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher, getting a “souvenir,” embodied in 25 stitches.Attempt of murder! Mateta released from hospital with 25 stitches following horror challengeAnd while many were so horrified by the goalie’s tackle that they claimed he deserved a “prison sentence,” the FA’s Independent Regulatory Commission’s final verdict was preposterous and as merciful as possible – a six-match ban?! Moreover, the initial punishment had been a three-match suspension (?!), but following the FA’s intervention, it was extended.🚨🏴 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 | Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts given 6 match ban for the challenge on Mateta, reports @SkySports. Roberts’ statement: “I am devastated by what happened…. I have categorically never stepped onto a football pitch with the intention of hurting anyone.” pic.twitter.com/sX2AqtEyuC— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) March 7, 2025 However, the impression is that the ban had to be much harsher. As sorry as Roberts was for everything that had happened – which he expressed in an official statement – he nearly “tore off Mateta’s head,” and the punishment should have been in accordance with that.For instance, Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca got a nine-month suspension for a – truth be told – mild physical altercation with the ref, Benoit Millot. Players are people just like referees. Their lives, health, and well-being should come first, and any endangerment of the aforementioned features should be punished adequately.##NAJAVA_MECA_8763600##
