Jean-Philippe Mateta has 25 stitches after horrific head tackle during FA Cup match.
Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta was released from hospital after Millwall stopper Liam Roberts made a nightmare head-high challenge on him.
Mateta was stretchered off at Selhurst Park on Saturday during their 3-1 victory.
Palace have now confirmed the Frenchman had 25 stitches to seal a “severe laceration” to his left ear.
Mateta’s scans were all right, and she was fine, according to an official announcement.
Referee Michael Oliver initially awarded Roberts a yellow card for the tackle.
But after checking again with the VAR pitchside monitor, he awarded him a straight red card.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish labelled Roberts’ challenge as “the most reckless” he has ever seen and claimed that the keeper was “endangering a fellow professional”.
