BBC · Mar 18, 2025
'Too much emotion makes you do crazy things' - Mateta defends Roberts
Image caption, Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored 15 goals in all competitions for Palace this seasonPublished
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has defended Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, saying that "too much emotion makes you do crazy things".
Mateta needed 25 stitches to his left ear after being kicked in the head by Roberts during Palace's FA Cup win on 1 March.
Roberts was sent off, while the French striker, 27, was stretchered off the field before being taken to hospital.
Roberts, 30, contacted Mateta that evening to apologise before being targeted by social media abuse.