Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off just minutes into their FA Cup clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The two teams were taking on each other in the FA Cup fifth round tie, with the Championship side hoping to cause an upset.

However, disaster struck within six minutes as Roberts attempted to clear a dangerous through ball from Will Hughes.

However, Michael Oliver failed to give even a free kick to start with, before VAR recommended that he take an on-field review.

After considering his decision, the official subsequently sent Roberts off, while Mateta was left on the floor for nine minutes as he received treatment following the horror challenge.

Millwall keeper Liam Roberts was sent off minutes into their FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace

As he tried to clear a through ball, Roberts’ studs were high and he caught Mateta in the head

Michael Oliver initially didn’t give a foul or card, but after a VAR review, he sent Roberts off

Roberts’ studs had caught Mateta on the side of the head and Oliver announced the decision over the stadium tannoy.

Mateta was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher, but not before Millwall fans could be heard chanting ‘let him die’.

Mateta was receiving oxygen as he went off the pitch, with the French striker taken to a corner of the ground where an ambulance was waiting to drive him to hospital.

Eddie Nketiah came on in Mateta’s place as a concussion substitute, while Millwall keeper Lukas Jensen entered the fray, with midfielder Luke Cundle sacrificed following the red card for Roberts – who had shone in his side’s victory over Leeds in the fourth round.

As Mateta was carried off, Palace fans could be heard singing the in-form French striker’s name, while chairman and co-owner Steve Parish looked concerned in the crowd. 

In fact, Parish then conducted an on-pitch interview with BBC Sport at half-time as he expressed his anger at the abysmal challenge and provided an update on Mateta. 

‘So far what we know is he’s got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury,’ he said. ‘He’s at the hospital and we hope for the best. 

‘There’s a lot of emotion in football, but we need to talk about that challenge. In all my time in football, I’ve never seen a challenge like it. 

Mateta received nine minutes of treatment before he was subsequently taken off on a stretcher

Palace chairman Steve Parish hit out the challenge in a half-time interview with BBC Sport

‘I looked to see how old the keeper is, he’s 30-years-old. That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch that I think I’ve ever seen and he needs to have a long hard look at himself that lad. Because he’s endangering a fellow professional – and maybe even his life – with a challenge like that. 

‘So 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.’

When pressed on how Palace had responded to the incident and lengthy stoppage, a clearly emotional Parish added: ‘They’re professionals, they’re all professionals and they have to treat each other like professionals and have a duty of care.

‘That goalkeeper hasn’t had one. And credit to the players for carrying on but it’s difficult for me to think about anything with JP in hospital.

‘In all my time in football… it’s a dreadful challenge and why the referee needed to go to the screen I’ve got no idea.’

Parish was then asked for positives surrounding Palace currently and about the first half performance but he added: ‘He’s a human being. Let’s forget about the football player. 

‘If you’re kicking someone in the head with full force like that, God knows what damage he’s done to him.

‘Yes, it’s a good moment for us as a football club but it’s very difficult for me to get past that challenge.’

Mateta was taken to hospital as Palace fans sung his name on his way off the pitch

Roberts had shone in Millwall’s victory over Leeds in the previous round of the FA Cup

In the initial incident which came following a fast start to the game in a fiery atmosphere, Hughes’ through ball over the top had caused problems for Millwall’s defence.

While Roberts’ eyes were only on the ball and he did get to it first, his foot was dangerously high.

As he connected with the ball, it deflected off Mateta and Daniel Munoz attempted to score as it bounced away, but his lobbed effort was cleared off the line.

Oliver then brought the game to a halt as Mateta, who has scored eight goals in his past eight Premier League games, received treatment. 

The injury added to the fierce South London rivalry, with Millwall fans’ ‘let him die’ chants reciprocated by Palace supporters when Camiel Neghli turned his ankle and was forced to go off midway through the first half. 

The early dismissal of Roberts was a big setback for Millwall and Palace soon made their man advantage pay off when Japhet Tanganga deflected a Hughes effort into his own net. 

Munoz then made it 2-0 shortly afterwards as Oliver Glasner’s side, who were pretty much at full strength, put their opponents under significant pressure. 

However, Millwall pulled a goal back in the 13th minute of added time as Wes Harding finished superbly following good work from Femi Azeez. 

But, they were unable to pull the game level, with Nketiah adding a third late on as the Eagles progressed to the quarter-finals.