Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish blasts Millwall keeper over red card challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has slammed Millwall Liam Roberts as ‘reckless’ for his challenge in their fifth round FA Cup clash.

The stopper was sent off after eight minutes at Selhurst Park after rushing out of his goal and clattering Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Referee Michael Oliver was sent over to VAR and issued the former Middlesbrough goalkeeper with a straight red card.

Palace striker Mateta needed instant treatment before being stretchered off and taken to hospital.

There were 13 minutes of first half stoppage time.

“So far all we know is that he has a bad gash behind his ear and it’s a head injury,” Parish told BBC.

“He’s at the hospital and we’re hoping for the best. There is a lot of emotion in football, but we need to talk about that challenge.

“In all the time I’ve been watching football I’ve never known a challenge like it. 

“I look to see how old the keeper is, he’s 30 years old. That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I’ve ever seen.

“He needs to have a long, hard look at himself, lad. He’s endangering a fellow professional and maybe even his life with a challenge like that.

“It’s very difficult for me to talk about the rest of the game because we’re worried about JP.

“It’s a terrible, terrible challenge.”