Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta In Hospital After 'Reckless' Horror Challenge

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish branded the challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts that left Jean Philippe-Mateta in hospital as "the most reckless" he has ever seen. Roberts was sent-off just eight minutes into Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie, which Palace won 3-1, after catching Mateta's head with his boot as he raced out to clear the ball. Referee Michael Oliver only issued a red card after a VAR review. Mateta received lengthy treatment, including oxygen, on the pitch before being stretchered to an ambulance and transported to hospital.

"What we know, he's got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury. Obviously he's at the hospital. So, we hope for the best," Parish told the BBC.

"That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I've ever seen and I think he needs to have a long hard look at himself, that lad, because he's endangering a fellow professional, maybe in his life, with a challenge like that."

Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Mateta is conscious but that he has suffered a serious injury to his ear.

"He is conscious and he is in hospital. His ear looks terrible. It's a very serious injury so we hope all the best for him," said Glasner.

"We are not really happy, we can't be really happy. Of course, it's a great win and into the quarter-finals but when you lose a player, especially with a foul like this, you have two different feelings in your stomach."

Mateta had scored eight goals in his previous nine games and has 15 in total for Palace this season.

The 27-year-old also netted five times as France won silver at the Paris Olympics last year.

Parish drew comparisons to the famous clash between German goalkeeper Toni Schumacher and French forward Patrick Battiston at the