Millwall fans sing sickening new songs about Jean-Philippe Mateta

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Evening Standard

·9 marzo 2025

Millwall fans sing sickening new songs about Jean-Philippe Mateta

The Crystal Palace striker was told “25 stitches isn't enough” but Lions fans

Millwall manager Alex Neil wants to move on from Liam Roberts' horror tackle on Jean-Philippe Mateta after Lions clubs were heard chanting more sickening songs about the Crystal Palace striker.

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Mateta was last weekend taken to hospital with a head injury after a challenge by Roberts during their FA Cup fifth-round game at Selhurst Park, which Palace went on to win 3-1.

Roberts rushed out of his goal to clear the ball early in the match and collided with Mateta, kicking him in the head. Mateta received 10 minutes of treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital with a severe laceration and needed 25 stitches in his left ear.

On Friday, Roberts, who said he had spoken with Mateta and apologised for the incident, had his suspension for the challenge extended to six matches following a Football Association review.

Millwall fans pictured celebrating against Watford

Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

Millwall were on Saturday back in action for the first time since the incident and the fans both supported Roberts and mocked Mateta.

There was a minute's applause for Roberts in the eighth minute, the time he was sent off last week, along with chants of: "One Liam Roberts, there's only one Liam Roberts."

Every time an opposition player went down, they were jeered with "let him die", the same chant Mateta was subjected to before being sent to hospital.

Millwall fans followed it up with: "Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, Mateta's in A and E." Other chants included: "It isn't enough, it isn't enough - 25 stitches, it isn't enough."

Speaking after the game, Neil did not mention the fan chants or Mateta but hoped Roberts is able to move on from the incident: "You know, we've supported Liam. Liam's made a bad decision. He's mistimed the challenge.

"I think it's then been trial by media at that point afterwards, which we are not in control of. We've spoken to Liam. He's fine. He understands. He spoke to me, and it’s done. Draw a line under it. Liam will serve a suspension. That's the way it is, and then we just move on to the next game."