Millwall fans pay tribute to goalkeeper in same minute he injured Jean-Philippe Mateta
Sections of the crowd applauded in the eighth minute of Millwall's match against Bristol City - the same minute in which goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off against Crystal Palace
Football fans made their feelings clear after sections of the Millwall crowd applauded goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the eighth minute of their Championship match against Bristol City.
Roberts was sent off in the eighth minute of the Lions' previous match, an FA Cup defeat at Crystal Palace. He clattered into Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the Frenchman receiving oxygen before he was stretchered off and subsequently taken to hospital.
Millwall themselves condemned abuse directed at Roberts after the incident, with a club statement reading: “The reporting on the matter, as well as disgraceful suggestions made by certain news organisations and high-profile figures within the sport that Liam intended to harm Jean-Philippe, has contributed to the unwarranted character assassination of Liam and fuelled abhorrent online abuse towards him."
The applause for Roberts on Tuesday has been met with a mixed reception, though. Suggestions were made online the day before the game that fans were planning the gesture, and supporters of other sides have given their verdict.
READ MORE: FA consider extended ban for Millwall 'keeper after Jean-Philippe Mateta horror tackleREAD MORE: Jean-Philippe Mateta's response to Millwall keeper's post-match message on horror tackle"If you are one of the Millwall fans cheering for your banned goalkeeper in the 8th minute to celebrate him hospitalising an opponent then you should be kicked in the head," one social media user wrote. "Clapping in the 8th minute, Millwall, that was incredibly cringe," was the opinion of one Bristol City fan.
"Have I just heard that right, Millwall had a minutes applause for a goalkeeper that nearly took someone’s head off?" wrote a third.
"Stupidest saga of all time," another said in response to the behaviour. "Whole thing has been blown out of proportion. It was a red card, move on."
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Millwall announced on Tuesday that Roberts had personally apologised to Mateta, who "instantly" accepted the apology.
"The club are pleased to hear positive updates from Jean-Philippe and wish him the best in his recovery,” their statement continued.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner spoke about the challenge, with Palace themselves confirming Mateta had been released from hospital on Saturday night. “I’m pretty sure he did not want to injure JP in this situation, but I also think you have to decide when you make such an impact, that you just can’t do it in this way – the risk of a very serious injury is just too high," Glasner said.
"It was the wrong decision that the goalkeeper took in this moment, but I always believe all the sportsmen I know they never want to injure the opposition players, he didn’t want to injure him in this way. But the decision to go to the ball with his foot at this height, with this intensity, was the completely wrong decision. 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.”
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