Steve Parish fumes on nasty challenge by Millwall on Mateta that seen the forward receive 25 stitches on his left ear.
Steve Parish, described the foul as the worst he had ever seen in football.
“In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve never seen a challenge like it,” he said. “It is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen.”
Oliver Glasner stated he did not think Liam Roberts meant to hurt anyone, but he did call the challenge that took Jean-Philippe Mateta to the hospital by Millwall custodian Liam Roberts “a very, very serious foul play”.
Mateta received 25 stitches in his left ear and was released from St George’s Hospital on Saturday night.
“It was tough to see it,” Glasner, the Crystal Palace manager, said. “I don’t want to see it any more. Just imagine if he hits his face straight, with all this power and the studs, it could have been the end of JP’s career.”
Palace said in a statement: “All scans were clear and JP is feeling well. He will now rest and recuperate over the following days where his progress will be monitored by our club doctor.
“Thank you to the medical staff at both Selhurst Park and the hospital for their help and professionalism, and for all the wishes of support that JP and the club have received today.”
Some Millwall supporters could be heard yelling “let him die” as Mateta was receiving treatment. The FA will look into homophobic shouts directed by Millwall supporters against Palace defender Ben Chilwell, but it is understood that it cannot look into the insulting chants aimed at Mateta, which do not violate any rules.
Glasner was satisfied his team had progressed to the quarter-finals, and praised his players’ resilience in seeing out the game. “I don’t feel happiness, still sadness and doubt, because of how serious JP’s injury is. My fingers are crossed, and hopefully he can play in the quarter-finals in four weeks, we all hope it’s not that serious.
“When you see your teammate carried out on a stretcher and with an oxygen mask, no one wants to see this, for anyone, let alone a teammate or friend.”