Jean-Philippe Mateta, who required 25 stitches following shocking kick to his head, has been passed fit to feature for Crystal Palace in their FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham this weekend
Sport
Updated 12:38, 24 Mar 2025
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to return for Crystal Palace against Fulham in their FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday - just four weeks on from sustaining a horror head injury.
France striker Mateta was knocked out by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the previous round of the Cup and required 25 stitches having been rushed to hospital.
Palace chairman Steve Parish claimed at the time that Roberts’ challenge was the most reckless he had ever seen and could have endangered his star forward’s life.
But Mateta has been passed fit to return and he will wear a protective mask if he features against the Cottagers. He also trailed his imminent comeback with a social media post that simply said: “It’s time.”
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Roberts continues to serve a six-game ban for a challenge that Palace owner Steve Parish claimed was so reckless it could have killed his star forward. A VAR check was also required before referee Michael Oliver showed a red card.
“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,” Parish said at full-time of the tie, which Palace won 3-1.
“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.
“It is difficult for me to talk about the rest of the game if you're worried about JP. It is a terrible challenge.
(Image: Getty Images)
“They're professionals and they have to treat each other like professionals and have a duty of care for your fellow professionals. That keeper has not had one (duty of care).
“Credit to the players carrying on. It is difficult for me to think about anything else with JP in hospital. Why the referee (Michael Oliver) needed to go to the screen I have got no idea. He’s a human being. Forget he's a football player. It is not a normal challenge. We want to progress, but it is difficult for me to look past that challenge.”
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