Jean-Philippe Mateta looks back on his horror injury for the first time in an interview with L'Équipe. The Crystal Palace striker suffered the injury during the FA Cup match against Millwall and had to be stretchered off the pitch. He received 25 stitches and required plastic surgery.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has opened up for the first time about the horrific injury he suffered in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup clash against Millwall, an incident that left him requiring 25 stitches and plastic surgery.
The 27-year-old French striker had to be stretchered off the field after a reckless challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, an incident that has since been widely condemned, with Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish calling it "the most reckless foul ever."
Mateta, who spoke to the French newspaper L'Équipe, admitted that at the time of the incident, his biggest fear was that he had suffered serious internal damage. "I was afraid that I had broken bones or that blood would flow to my brain," he said. "But in the end, only my ear was completely destroyed. A plastic surgeon took photos but didn’t show them to me so that the image wouldn’t stay in my mind."
The forward recalled the shocking moment in detail, explaining how a last-second reaction may have prevented an even worse outcome. "At the very last moment, I was able to turn my head instinctively," he said. "I’m lucky I could do that because otherwise, his foot would have hit me straight in the face, and it would have been much worse. I was never unconscious, but I knew something was very wrong as soon as I felt the impact."
Despite the severity of the injury, Mateta initially wanted to continue playing. "I was lying on the ground and told the doctor, 'I feel fine, I want to keep playing.' But he looked at my ear and told me I had to go off." The medical staff quickly assessed the situation and rushed him off the field on a stretcher, fearing further complications.
The images of Mateta’s injury quickly went viral, with many fans and analysts expressing shock at the nature of the foul. Replays showed Roberts lunging recklessly, completely misjudging the situation and making full-force contact with Mateta's head. The reaction from Crystal Palace was immediate, with players surrounding the referee and demanding action against the Millwall goalkeeper. The referee wasted no time in showing a straight red card, sending Roberts off and leaving Millwall with ten men for the remainder of the match.
The English Football Association (FA) initially handed Roberts a three-match suspension, the standard punishment for a straight red card. However, after reviewing the severity of the incident, the FA’s independent regulatory commission decided to double the suspension, increasing it to six matches. The decision was made after an official appeal, with the FA stating that the tackle was "dangerous and showed excessive force, putting the opponent at serious risk of injury."
Mateta’s injury has left a significant impact on Crystal Palace’s season, as the striker had been in excellent form before the incident. With Palace fighting for a strong finish in the Premier League and continuing their FA Cup run, losing one of their main attacking threats has been a major setback. Manager Oliver Glasner admitted that Mateta’s absence has forced the team to restructure their attacking options, with Odsonne Édouard and Jordan Ayew expected to take on a more prominent role in his absence.
It remains uncertain when Mateta will return to action, as the recovery process for such a delicate injury is unpredictable. While the initial medical reports suggest that he could be back within a few weeks, Palace's medical team is taking a cautious approach to avoid any long-term complications. The risk of infection, given the nature of the wound and the need for plastic surgery, means that Mateta’s return will be closely monitored on a week-to-week basis.
The forward, however, remains determined to make a strong comeback and has already started his rehabilitation process. "I am focusing on getting back as soon as possible, but I also know I have to be patient," Mateta said. "I want to return in top form and help the team finish the season strongly."
For now, Crystal Palace will have to navigate their upcoming matches without their key striker, hoping that Mateta’s recovery goes smoothly and that he can return before the end of the season. Meanwhile, Roberts will serve his six-match ban, a decision that has been widely supported as a necessary measure to discourage similar reckless challenges in the future.
