FA Cup: Millwall followers heard chanting ‘Let him die’ after Crystal Palace striker Mateta suffers horrific damage

In a surprising incident that passed off in the course of the fifth spherical of the FA Cup on Saturday, touring followers of second-division membership Millwall started to sing “Let him die” after Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta suffered a horrific damage.

The incident passed off minutes after kick-off at Selhurst Park. Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts charged out of the penalty space in an try and clear the ball, and recklessly hit Mateta on the top together with his boot, leaving the French striker with a “nasty gash” behind his ear.

A majority of these current at Palace’s residence floor in London fell silent as Mateta obtained prolonged medical therapy on the pitch, together with oxygen help. He needed to be stretchered to the ambulance that transported him to a hospital.

Millwall followers condemned for his or her vile chants

Millwall’s followers, nevertheless, have been heard singing the offensive chant that was slammed on-air by BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce. “Millwall followers will not be endearing themselves to anybody with their chant about Mateta. The membership may very well be revisited about that,” Pearce mentioned.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Paris, in the meantime, described Roberts’ problem because the “most reckless” he had ever witnessed.

“That’s the most reckless problem on a soccer pitch I believe I’ve ever seen and I believe he must have a protracted laborious take a look at himself, that lad, as a result of he’s endangering a fellow skilled, perhaps his life, with a problem like that,” Parish informed the BBC.

Mateta had charged in direction of the Millwall goalpost after responding to a intelligent by way of ball by Will Hughes. The 27-year-old was preventing for the ball with Millwall centre-back Jake Cooper when Roberts introduced the sport to a halt together with his boot.

Worst ‘deal with’ I’ve ever seen in soccer. Completely shameful assault on Jean-Philippe Mateta by Millwall’s goalkeeper Liam Roberts. He was despatched off, but when he did that to somebody on the street he’d be jailed. pic.twitter.com/CgbnimbCeQ

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 1, 2025

Referee Michael Oliver, nevertheless, didn’t challenge a purple card instantly, and made the reserving solely after a VAR assessment of the problem.

Mateta, in the meantime, assured his followers afterward Saturday that he was “doing properly” within the hospital.

“Thanks for all of your type messages. I’m doing properly. I hope to be again very quickly. And stronger than ever. Nicely finished guys for an excellent job at this time,” Mateta wrote in a ‘Story’ on Instagram.

Chilwell not spared both

That wasn’t all from the touring followers although – in addition they focused Ben Chilwell with a “Chelsea lease boy” chant. Chilwell’s representing Palace this season on a mortgage transfer from Chelsea, the membership he has been a part of since 2020.

In line with British tabloid Each day Mirror, Millwall aren’t more likely to be punished by the Soccer Affiliation for his or her followers’ deplorable chants at Selhurst Park because it doesn’t breach protocols.

The membership, nevertheless, may very well be in hassle for the mantra directed in direction of Chilwell for the utilization of homophobic language.

Palace, in the meantime, made the a lot of the numerical benefit following the purple card to Roberts, profitable the south London derby assembly with Millwall 3-1.

An personal purpose by Japhet Tanganga put the Eagles within the lead whereas Daniel Munoz and Eddie Nketiah have been additionally on the right track.

Wes Harding helped Millwall halve the deficit with a purpose deep into stoppage time shortly earlier than the half-time whistle.

Nketiah’s 81st-minute strike, nevertheless, restored a two-goal cushion for Palace and put the results of the sport past doubt.