The Football Federation seeks to expand the three-match suspension, which was handed over to Millwall’s goalkeeper Liam Roberts after his dangerous challenge at Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during their Fa Cup Fifth Circle.
On Saturday, Roberts shown a red card for eight minutes in a match in Selhurst Park, after a high challenge where Mateta left 25 stings around his left ear.
FA believed that the standard suspension with three games for a serious game “obviously insufficient” and appealed to a regulatory commission in the hope of increasing the ban.
Millwall intends to challenge the FA -Ai claim by Tuesday officially.
The club’s statement confirmed that he would “continue to support” Roberts, who after the incident was subjected to “terrible internet abuse”.
If the FA request is approved, the Commission will determine a new sentence for Roberts. If it is rejected, the initial suspension will cost in three games.
Precedent for such cases exists. 2023, Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic had a ban on three matches at eight after pushing Judge Chris Kavanagh during the loss of FA Cup from Manchester United.
On the contrary, in 2013, an attempt to increase the suspension of Chelsea striker Eden Hazard was rejected after being sent to hit 17-year-old Ball Boys during the SWANSEA Cup League match.
Fa wants to extend the ban on three Millwall matches Liam Roberts after his red card in FA Cup. pic.twitter.com/trg6br1f6n
– BBC Sport (@bbcSport) March 5, 2025
The President of the Palace condemns Roberts
Palace chairman Steve Parish did not stay in criticism of fighting, describing it as “the most modern I ever saw” and claimed that Roberts “threatened a professional colleague and maybe his life.”
In the meantime, Millwall expressed frustration for showing an incident, stating that the media coverage led to a “unjustified assassination of Roberts.
The club also noted that Roberts had reached for Mateta after the game, and his apology was “immediately accepted”.
Millwall fans gather behind Roberts
Roberts has already started serving his suspension, and Millwall’s defeat of 2-0 from Bristol City in the Championship on Tuesday disappeared.
During the match, Millwall fans showed him support by holding a minute of applause in the eighth minute while they sang, “There is only one Liam Roberts.” However, some parts of the crowd reacted Boos.
The match officer Michael Oliver, who released Roberts’ red ticket after VAR review, will not serve the Premier League match this weekend.
Reports suggest that Millwall fans knew their feelings in Den, where a loud and defiant protest took place. Some fans in the main booth even turned to the press box to make gestures, undergoing their belief that Roberts had been treated unfairly.
Millwall’s fan base is known for its fierce loyalty, and that feeling only intensified in response to what they perceive as an unjust level of criticism.
