Palace Forward Mateta Released from Hospital with 25 Stitches after Kick to the Face in FA Cup Game

Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta is taken off on a stretcher after getting injured during the English FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Millwall at Selhurst Park, London, England, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP)
Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta is taken off on a stretcher after getting injured during the English FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Millwall at Selhurst Park, London, England, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP)
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Palace Forward Mateta Released from Hospital with 25 Stitches after Kick to the Face in FA Cup Game

Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta is taken off on a stretcher after getting injured during the English FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Millwall at Selhurst Park, London, England, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP)
Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta is taken off on a stretcher after getting injured during the English FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Millwall at Selhurst Park, London, England, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP)

Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta needed 25 stitches on a cut to his ear after being kicked by Millwall's goalkeeper during an FA Cup game Saturday in what Palace's club chairman described as "the most reckless challenge" he'd ever seen.

Palace said Mateta was released from a hospital Saturday evening after an incident that saw the forward carried off the field on a stretcher with a neck brace. Millwall keeper Liam Roberts was sent off just eight minutes into game after he rushed outside the 18-yard box, leaped to clear a long ball and struck Mateta in the side of the face with a high left-footed follow-through.

Mateta remained on the ground and needed lengthy medical treatment before he was carried off the field toward an ambulance.

"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," Palace said in a statement. "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."

Referee Michael Oliver initially did not even show Roberts a yellow card despite being only a few yards away from the incident but then brandished a straight red after being called over by VAR to review the incident on a pitchside monitor.

"In all the time I’ve watched football I’ve never seen a challenge like it," Palace chairman Steve Parish told the BBC during the halftime break. "That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen."

Mateta is Palace's leading scorer with 12 Premier League goals this season.

He posted a message on Instagram saying he was "doing well."

"I hope to be back very soon," he wrote. "And stronger than ever."

Palace won 3-1 to reach the quarterfinals.



Reports: Liverpool Agree to Sign Frankfurt Striker Ekitike

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (L) is reportedly set to join Liverpool. Daniel ROLAND / AFP
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (L) is reportedly set to join Liverpool. Daniel ROLAND / AFP
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Reports: Liverpool Agree to Sign Frankfurt Striker Ekitike

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (L) is reportedly set to join Liverpool. Daniel ROLAND / AFP
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (L) is reportedly set to join Liverpool. Daniel ROLAND / AFP

Liverpool have agreed to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth an initial £69 million ($92 million), according to reports on Monday.

The Premier League champions switched their focus to Ekitike following Newcastle's refusal to sell Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who is valued at around £150 million by the Magpies, AFP said.

Newcastle and Manchester United were also interested in Ekitike, but Liverpool look set to win the race for one of Europe's hottest young stars.

It is believed the Reds have agreed to pay a potential further £10 million in add-ons to sign the 23-year-old Frenchman, whose overall price tag could reach £79 million.

Once the transfer is completed, Ekitike will link up with Arne Slot's side on their pre-season tour of Asia.

Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Frankfurt last season after joining the Bundesliga club from Paris Saint-Germain.

He was an unused substitute during his side's pre-season friendly against FSV Frankfurt on Saturday, with Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller admitting Ekitike's impending departure was "a bitter loss".

Liverpool have an opening in their forward line after Diogo Jota's recent death in a car crash in Spain.

The Reds are also believed to be willing to sell Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Colombia forward Luis Diaz has been the target of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich.

Liverpool have already splashed out £116 million on Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively.

Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Arne Slot's side since the end of last season after agreeing his move from Valencia in 2024.