Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts set for extended ban over horror Jean-Philippe Mateta challenge

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Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts faces an extended ban for his challenge on Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta after the Football Association claimed that the usual three-game ban would be an insufficient punishment.

Mateta has been discharged from hospital after being left with 25 stitches in his ear as a result of the challenge from Roberts, which saw the goalkeeper sent off and the Crystal Palace chairman, Steve Parish, calling it “the most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen”.

The FA has now appealed against the usual three-match ban, insisting that the offence was of a nature that would make the standard punishment “clearly insufficient”, opening the door to a longer ban being imposed on Roberts.

The goalkeeper and Millwall have the right to respond in defence.

Mateta posted on social media on Sunday after he was taken off on a stretcher and helped into an ambulance as he left Selhurst Park. “Thank you all for your kind messages. I’m doing well,” Mateta said after Palace’s 3-1 win. “I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever. Well done guys for the great job today. I love you. JP.”

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