Jean-Philippe Mateta has lifted the lid on his text-message exchange with Liam Roberts after a horrendous challenge from the Millwall goalkeeper left him needing 25 stitches for a severe laceration of his ear.
Crystal Palace saw off Millwall to achieve the quarter-finals of the FA Cup earlier this month, however the fifth-round contest was largely overshadowed by the sickening coming together within the opening stages at Selhurst Park.
In pictures which quickly spread all over the world, Roberts got here charging out of his goal to clear the ball, only to kung-fu kick Mateta within the side of the top, leaving the Palace forward motionless on the turf.
Referee Michael Oliver eventually showed Roberts a red card for the challenge following a VAR check, but play was placed on hold for over ten minutes while Mateta received treatment from Palace’s medical staff.
The 27-year-old was given oxygen to assist his respiration while being carried off the pitch on a stretcher before being taken to hospital, where he underwent a procedure to save lots of his left ear.
Messages of support flooded in for Mateta from across the football community, while Millwall shot-stopper Roberts was slapped with a six-match suspension.
Palace fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as Mateta was seen in training again for the primary time last week and the Frenchman is hopeful he may be involved against Fulham after the international break.
‘I feel good, I feel great,’ Mateta told Sky Sports when asked for an update on his condition.
‘I remember every part, the kick, once I was on the ground. Yeah, I remember every part, it was not like a concussion. When he kicked me I used to be on the ground waiting for him to get a red card and I used to be good to go.
‘However the doctor, when he got here, he saw the injury. Me, I didn’t see it and was like, “Just take the blood off and keep going”, and the doctor was like, “Hearken to me, you’ve got to exit”.
‘I used to be arguing for possibly like 30 seconds, “No I need to play, I need to play!”, and he said I needed to go.’
While Palace chairman Steve Parish said the tackle was one of the ‘reckless’ he had ever seen, reports on the time suggested Mateta had no unwell feeling towards Roberts.
‘Yeah, he contacted me, he texted me and I used to be in hospital,’ Mateta explained.
‘I told him, “It’s okay, it’s football”, and we’ll see.’
Asked if Roberts had apologised during their exchange, Mateta replied: ‘Yeah, he apologised and he was anxious. But he did what he did, you understand.
‘I’m not a ‘keeper. Possibly if I used to be a ‘keeper I might understand more… I don’t know what a goalkeeper thinks.
‘But I believe he did every part to me to not rating but I believe he just goes too far.
‘He did a giant mistake however it’s okay. It’s not the primary time we’ve seen this in football. I don’t think he woke up and said, “I need to chop the ear of JP”.’
Mateta even went on to defend Roberts and condemned the ‘crazy’ abuse the goalkeeper had received on social media.
‘No, it’s crazy,’ he added.
‘The fans react crazy on social media but I don’t know… I didn’t send anyone to do that.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Ayden Heaven provides update after Man Utd star stretchered off with injury against Leicester
MORE: Arsenal defender says he desires to learn to play in midfield
MORE: Man Utd flop Antony makes unusual excuse for poor form at Old Trafford
