The match between Crystal Palace and Millwall quickly took a harrowing turn on Saturday.
Within just six minutes of the two teams taking on one another in the FA Cup fifth-round tie, Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts attempted to clear a dangerous ball and simultaneously nailed Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in the side of the head with his follow-through in what spiraled into a scary scene.
Mateta was flat on the pitch following the incident and was given oxygen for nine minutes before being taken off in a stretcher toward an awaiting ambulance before being taken to the hospital.
However, the kick isn’t even the most shocking part of the story.
Millwall fans could be heard chanting “let him die” around Selhurst Park as the striker was getting treatment, according to multiple reports.
Palace fans were countering with the singing of the French striker’s name.
The Football Association has since condemned some of the “let him die” chants from visiting fans, but they have ruled that the cries do not breach its regulations.
Yet, the FA will be investigating any homophobic chants from Millwall supporters made toward Ben Chilwell, who is on loan at Crystal Palace from Chelsea.
Following Mateta’s exit and a virtual assistant referee (VAR) review, Roberts was given a red card for the incident for leaving his line to clear a ball.
Eddie Nketiah entered the game in Mateta’s place and notched a goal in the eventual 3-1 win for Crystal Palace.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner has since confirmed that Mateta suffered a serious injury to his ear — one that could have ended his career.
“He’s at the hospital and I heard he’s conscious, and he has a serious ear injury,” Glasner said. “I didn’t want to see it after the game, because you never want to watch an injury, but because I was told you have to talk about it, I watched it, and it was very, very serious foul play.
“Just imagine if he hits his face straight, with all this power and the studs, it could have been the end of JP’s career. I’m pretty sure he did not want to injure JP in this situation, but I also think you have to decide when you make such an impact, that you just can’t do it in this way – the risk of a very serious injury is just too high. I don’t feel happiness today, still sadness and doubt, because of how serious JP’s injury is. My fingers are crossed, and hopefully he can play in the quarter-finals, in four weeks, we all hope it’s not that serious.”
Mateta sent a message to his supporters.
“Thank you for all your kind messages. I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever. Well done guys for a great job today,” Mateta posted on Instagram following the game.
Palace chairman echoed the owner’s opinion, calling it the “most reckless challenge” he had ever seen.
“I think he needs to have a long hard look at himself, that lad, because he’s endangering a fellow professional, maybe his life, with a challenge like that,” he added.
Mateta scored eight goals in the previous nine games before Saturday and has a season total of 15 for Palace.
The 27-year-old Frenchman also scored five goals with France on their quest to win silver at the Paris Olympics last summer.
Crystal Palace advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals