Millwall boss Alex Neil responded to Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish (Image: BBC Sport)
boss Alex Neil fired back at chief Steve Parish after he labelled Liam Roberts’ challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta the ‘worst he has ever has seen’. The Scot put up a strong defence for his goalkeeper, of the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Selhurst Park after referee Michael Oliver chose to overturn his on-field decision with the use of VAR. Roberts came charging off his line to clear the ball, but accidentally caught Mateta in the face with a reckless challenge – leaving the official no option but to dismiss the 30-year-old stopper.
Parish was left furious with the challenge from Roberts after watching the incident unfold from the stands and ‘ in his entire career working in football. But Neil hit back at the Palace supremo, insisting that Roberts meant no harm with his challenge and dismissed any idea that the challenge was anything outside the norm in terms of what happens during a football match.
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off by referee Michael Oliver (Image: Getty)
When told about Parish’s comments, Neil said: “The first challenge? I don’t think it’s meant. I don’t think there’s any intent, of course not. Why would there be any intent? It’s the start of the game. The ball gets put in behind and he’s just trying to get there. I certainly wouldn’t label it the worst challenge I’ve seen.”
Parish was interviewed at half time shortly after the incident and told Sport: “You know, there’s a lot of emotion in football, but we need to talk about that challenge. In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve never seen a challenge like it.
“I looked to see how old the keeper was and he’s 30-years-old. That’s the most reckless challenge on a football pitch, I think I’ve ever seen. “I think he needs to have a long, hard look at himself that lad. He’s endangering another professional 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 and it’s just a terrible, terrible challenge.
Millwall boss Alex Neil dismissed Steve Parish’s comments (Image: Getty)
However, Neil was adamant it was an unfortunate incident and there was no malice involved: “I think the ball’s gone in behind, Liam’s come out which he’s done in many games he’s played. I think he’s misjudged it, he’s caught the lad [Mateta],” he added.
“I must be honest, at the time when it happened, I didn’t know if he caught the lad or caught the ball, because the ball went off at a strange angle.
“They’ve obviously watched it back on VAR, unfortunately the screen in the dugout wasn’t working so I couldn’t watch it back, I haven’t seen it back since. He’s mistimed it, he’s been sent off, which at that stage makes the game doubly difficult for us. Yeah, it was disappointing. He’s made a call and he’s just not quite got it right.”
Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish hit out at the challenge from Liam Roberts (Image: Getty)
Mateta was taken to hospital with two head injuries, one of which was a bad gash to his face, while Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed he was ‘conscious’ after undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.
Addressing Mateta’s condition, Neil said: “Obviously we don’t want the lad to be injured, so naturally we wish Mateta well and hope he’s back on the pitch soon. But my goalkeeper’s mistimed a through ball, it happens every single game down the country. I’m surprised by the question because it’s the first time I’ve heard it [Parish’s comments].”
Palace took full advantage of having an extra man as they went on to record a 3-1 victory and seal their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals, although Mateta’s injury somewhat overshadowed the occasion.