Goalkeeper who left Palace forward Mateta needing 25 stitches in FA Cup faces a longer ban

Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts reacts before getting a red card for a challenge of Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta during the English FA Cup soccer match between Crystal Palace and Millwall at Selhurst Park, London, England, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ian Walton]
LONDON (AP) — Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts could receive an extended ban for a dangerous challenge which left Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta needing 25 stitches. The Football Association says it has filed a claim to increase Roberts’ punishment from the standard three-game ban for serious foul play. The FA says the standard ban would be “clearly insufficient.” Roberts was sent off just eight minutes into the FA Cup fifth-round game after he leaped to clear the ball and struck Mateta in the side of the face.
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