FA Cup: ‘Most reckless tackle in football history’ sends Mateta to hospital-OxBig News Network

Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta was stretchered off the field after a horrific tackle from Millwall FC goalkeeper Liam Roberts on Saturday, March 1. Playing at the FA Cup, Roberts was shown a straight red card for his outside of the box challenge on Mateta – which is now being dubbed as the worst tackle on football history by the fabs on social media.

The 27-year-old French striker was struck on the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the seventh minute at Selhurst Park. Mateta required oxygen on the pitch before being taken to the hospital with a concussion.

Palace chairman Steve Parish condemned Roberts’s challenge, calling it the most reckless he had ever witnessed.

Roberts was shown a red card after a VAR review for coming off his line to clear a long ball, only to catch the on-rushing Mateta in the head with his raised studs.

The horrifying tackle was reminiscent of Nigel De Jong kung-fu kick on Xabi Alonso’s chest in the FIFA World Cup 2010 final in South Africa. On Saturday, Roberts’ challenge was much worse as he caught an unaware Mateta on the back of his ear with a full blown stud-up challenge when the striker was not in an obvious goalscoring position.

Despite being down to 10 men, Millwall responded with an own goal from defender Japhet Tanganga in the 33rd minute and a close-range effort from Daniel Munoz, putting Palace in control. However, Millwall fought back before halftime with a goal from Wes Harding and pressed Palace hard in the second half.

Eddie Nketiah, who replaced Mateta, secured Palace’s progression with a looping header in the 81st minute.

Mateta, who has been in exceptional form for Palace with 15 goals in 33 appearances this season, was later assessed in hospital. Parish spoke to the BBC at halftime, saying Mateta had suffered a serious gash behind his ear and a head injury.

“He’s at the hospital, so we hope for the best,” Parish said. “There’s a lot of emotion in football, but we also need to talk about that challenge. In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s the most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen on a football pitch.”

In other FA Cup action, Championship promotion contenders Burnley were stunned 3-0 by Lancashire rivals Preston North End, with goals from Milutin Osmajic, Robbie Brady, and Will Keane.

Burnley had gone 12 consecutive Championship games without conceding a goal.

Later on Saturday, Premier League sides Bournemouth hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Manchester City faced Liverpool’s surprise conquerors, Plymouth Argyle.

On Friday, Aston Villa secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over second-tier Cardiff City.