Crystal Palace provide gruesome update on Jean-Philippe Mateta injury against Millwall..
Crystal Palace have confirmed Jean-Philippe Mateta has been discharged from hospital having received 25 stitches to a ‘severe laceration’ of his left ear.
The Eagles cruised to a 3-1 victory over Millwall to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Saturday, but Mateta’s horrific injury in only the eighth minute has somewhat overshadowed the Selhurst Park contest.
Play was initially allowed to continue as Mateta lay motionless on the turf following a sickening collision with Millwall’s Liam Roberts on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area.
But referee Michael Oliver wasted little time in showing Roberts a straight card after being sent to the pitch-side monitor by the video assistant referee, with replays showing the goalkeeper clatter into Mateta’s head with his left boot.
The fifth-round tie was put on hold for around eight minutes while Mateta received treatment from Palace’s medical staff and the 27-year-old forward was given oxygen to help his breathing while being carried off the pitch on a stretcher.
Mateta was swiftly taken to hospital for further checks and the Frenchman required ‘specialist treatment’ to a gruesome wound in his left ear.
‘We are very pleased to confirm that JP Mateta has this evening been discharged from St George’s Hospital where he received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear,’ Palace said in a statement on Saturday evening.
‘All scans were clear and JP is feeling well.
‘He will now rest and recuperate over the following days where his progress will be monitored by our club doctor.
‘Thank you to the medical staff at both Selhurst Park and the hospital for their help and professionalism, and for all the wishes of support that JP and the club have received today.’
Mateta, Palace’s top goalscorer this season with 15 goals in all competitions, took to Instagram to thank fans for the ‘kind messages’ he had received following the collision.
‘Thank you all for your kind messages. I’m doing well,’ the former Lyon and Mainz striker told his followers.
‘I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever.
‘Well done guys for the great job today. I love you. JP.’
Speaking to BBC Sport at the half-time break, Palace chairman Steve Parish said Roberts’ challenge was the most ‘reckless’ he had ever witnessed in football.
‘In all the time I’ve watched football I’ve never seen a challenge like it. I looked to see how old the keeper is and he’s 30-years old,’ Paris told the BBC’s Kelly Somers.
‘That’s the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen. He needs to have a long hard look at himself that lad because he’s endangering a fellow professional, maybe even his life.
‘It’s 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.
‘They’re all professionals out there and they’ve got to treat each other like professionals. They’ve got a duty of care and that goalkeeper hasn’t had one.
‘It’s difficult for me to think about anything else with JP in hospital. It’s a dreadful challenge and why the referee needs to go to the screen I’ve got no idea.
‘He’s a human being let’s forget about a football player that’s not just a normal challenge. If you’re kicking someone in the head with full force God knows what damage has been done to him.’
There has been widespread condemnation after Millwall’s away support were heard chanting ‘let him die’ while Mateta lay in a heap on the turf at Selhurst Park.
However, it’s understood the chants did not breach the FA’s regulations and the Championship outfit are expected to escape punishment.
Millwall are, though, facing a possible investigation into homophobic chants directed at Palace left-back Ben Chilwell during the match.
Palace will discover their opponents for the next round of the cup when the quarter-final draw takes place following Manchester United’s clash with Fulham this afternoon.
