Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has suggested top flight officials are hiding behind VAR (Image: GETTY)
Former referee Mark Halsey has offered a scathing assessment of top-flight officials in England following Liam Roberts’ horror challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta in the . Mateta was taken to hospital in the aftermath of the challenge after goalkeeper Roberts lunged towards the striker and as he attempted to clear the ball.
Roberts was ultimately given his marching orders for the offence after referee Michael Oliver watched the incident again following intervention from VAR. Palace chairman the Millwall ace had “endangered a fellow professional and maybe his life”. Palace went on to win the match 3-1 to book their place in the quarter-finals.
“Something is not right with our officials at the moment,” Halsey wrote in his column for . “Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts’ first-half challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta was a clear red card for serious foul play.
“The Crystal Palace striker was kicked in the head and it was an obvious instance of endangering a player’s safety with excessive force and/or brutality.
“Yet, referee Michael Oliver did not even show a yellow card. We had to wait for VAR to intervene and recommend a review. Even then, it took more than two minutes for a decision to be made.”
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Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was kicked in the head by Millwall keeper Liam Roberts (Image: GETTY)
VAR was introduced in the Premier League in 2019 after it had been used at the 2018 World Cup. But Halsey has suggested referees are hiding behind the technology when it comes to making tough decisions.
“It seems that the officials on the pitch are relying too much on VAR at the moment,” he added. “For me, that is not refereeing.
“I can only conclude that Michael did not realise at the time just how dangerous the challenge was. He has been our best referee but he seems to be lacking in confidence at the moment. And that happens with players and referees.”
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Palace released a club statement on Saturday evening as they offered an update on Mateta’s condition. The club explained: “We are very pleased to confirm that JP Mateta has this evening been discharged from St George’s Hospital where he received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear. All scans were clear and JP is feeling well.
“He will now rest and recuperate over the following days where his progress will be monitored by our club doctor.
“Thank you to the medical staff at both Selhurst Park and the hospital for their help and professionalism, and for all the wishes of support that JP and the club have received today.”