Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury during a shocking collision with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in their FA Cup fifth-round tie at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
After a VAR check confirmed Roberts had caught Mateta in the head with raised studs as he attempted to clear a long ball, the Birmingham player was sent off.
The French striker, who has been in fine form with 15 goals this season, required on-field treatment, including oxygen, and was stretchered off to be replaced by Eddie Nketiah.
The Palace chairman Steve Parish wrote at half-time that Mateta had a “deep gash behind his ear” and was being further assessed. “It’s the most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen on a football pitch,” Parish said.
Palace will now be waiting to hear more on Mateta’s condition as they continue their FA Cup run.
