Mateta had been sidelined since the FA Cup clash against Millwall earlier this month when he was struck in the face by a high boot from goalkeeper Liam Roberts. The reckless challenge left him hospitalized and ruled out of action for several weeks.
Comeback in Palace’s FA Cup Victory
Wearing a protective covering on his ear, Mateta started for Palace in their 3-0 quarterfinal win over Fulham. He played 70 minutes before being substituted for Eddie Nketiah, completing a remarkable comeback just weeks after his injury.
The incident that sidelined Mateta occurred when Roberts rushed out of the 18-yard box to clear a long ball but instead struck the French striker in the face with a dangerously high boot. The Millwall goalkeeper was immediately sent off, while Mateta was stretchered off and taken to a hospital.
A Reckless Challenge and Extended Ban
Palace chairman Steve Parish strongly condemned the incident, calling it “the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen.”
Following an investigation, the English Football Association (FA) deemed Roberts’ initial three-match suspension insufficient and extended his ban to six games.
However, Roberts later revealed he had received abusive messages and threats in the aftermath of the incident.
Mateta Forgives Roberts: "It Was Just a Mistake"
Despite the severity of the injury, Mateta has chosen to forgive Roberts, acknowledging the emotional intensity of the game.
“Liam contacted me and texted me while I was in hospital, and I told him: ‘It is OK, it is football,’” Mateta said in an interview with Sky Sports. “He apologized. He was worried.”
The striker also defended Roberts’ intentions, stating:
“I don’t think he woke up and thought ‘I want to cut the head of JP.’ There is a lot of pressure. He wanted to do good, too much emotion makes you do crazy things. It was just a mistake. You learn from it.”
Looking Ahead
With his return to the pitch, Mateta will now focus on helping Crystal Palace push for success as they advance in the FA Cup. His resilience and sportsmanship have earned admiration from fans and teammates alike, turning a horrific injury into an inspiring comeback story.