The Crystal Palace striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta, has defended Millwall goalkeeper, Liam Roberts, saying that “too much emotion makes you crazy.”
Mateta needed 25 points of suture to her left ear after being kicked in the head by Roberts during the victory of the Palace Cup on March 1.
Roberts was expelled, while the 27 -year -old French striker was stretched out of the field before being taken to the hospital.
Roberts, 30, contacted Mateta that night to apologize before being attacked by the abuse of social networks.
In an interview with Sky Sports,, external Mateta said: “Liam sent me a text message while I was in the hospital and I told him that” it’s fine, it’s football. “He apologized. He was worried.”
Roberts’s prohibition has spread from three games to six, but Mateta does not believe that there is malicious intention in the challenge and called the abuse of “crazy” social networks.
“I don’t think he woke up and think ‘I want to cut JP’s head.” Mateta added.
“There is a lot of pressure. I wanted to do good, [but] Too much emotion makes you crazy. It was just a mistake. You learn from that. “
Mateta traveled with Palace for a training camp in Marbella last week and trained individually.
Although Mateta lost the victory of the Palace League over Ipswich, the head of the Eagles, Oliver Glasner, said she hoped that the top scorer of her team would be fit for her quarterfinals of the FA Cup against Fulham on March 29.
When asked when he could play again, Mateta replied: “I don’t know. I’m still in contact with specialists and the doctor. Hopefully soon. I hope to play [against Fulham]”
And when he returns, former Mainz and Lyon striker said he will wear a facial mask while the stitches continue to heal.
“I need to wear a mask, I need to use something,” he said. “I will take the best to be more comfortable.”
