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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Oliver failed to stop play despite Mateta injury</li><li>VAR called for red card for goalkeeper after review </li><li>Lengthy delay saw Palace striker rushed to hospital</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Jean-Philippe Mateta rushed to hospital after he's shockingly kicked in the face during FA Cup clash with Millwall as perplexed fans go crazy at referee Michael Oliver for missing horrendous incident

Championship

Millwall

Bristol City

Premier League

Crystal Palace

Ipswich

<p>Mateta raced through on goal in the eighth minute of Crystal Palace's FA Cup tie against Millwall, only for the on-coming Roberts to rush out and fly into the striker with his foot, hitting the Frenchman on the head. Oliver appeared to have a clear view of the incident but the referee didn't react and only sent the Millwall keeper off after a review by VAR, causing outrage amongst fans.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Mateta received lengthy treatment and was stretchered off, with Eddie Nketiah eventually replacing him as a concussion substitute. The situation was made even more intense by chants from <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/millwall-fans-chant-let-him-die-jean-philippe-mateta-crystal-palace-head-injury-oxygen-fa-cup/blt9f937c4b5d166f52" target="_blank">some Millwall fans saying</a> 'let him die' as tempers flared between the London rivals.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>One Eagles fanpage, The Palace Way, <a href="https://x.com/ThePalaceWay/status/1895816308425703692" target="_blank">posted on X</a>: "Seriously concerning decision from Michael Oliver. One of the main jobs of a referee is to protect the players. [If] this isn’t dangerous play then I literally have no idea what is."</p><p><a href="https://x.com/MainManNiles/status/1895813400753799650" target="_blank">Another fan</a> described Oliver as 'by far the worst ref in the country' and called for him to be 'sacked' after his delay in stopping play.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Michael Oliver didn’t give this as a red card in real time! <a href="https://t.co/W0f9qQr0H4">pic.twitter.com/W0f9qQr0H4</a></p>— Sam Pilger (@sampilger) <a href="https://twitter.com/sampilger/status/1895813717868347660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mateta has been down for 7 minutes and just being taken off on a stretcher after being kicked in the head. Michael Oliver waved play on and didn't even give a free kick. And they call him the best ref in the league 🙃</p>— CG (@CMG3432) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMG3432/status/1895814003483689375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WHAT THE FANS SAID

<p>The match was delayed for nearly 10 minutes as Mateta received treatment, with 13 minutes added on in first-half stoppage time. Palace eventually emerged 3-1 winners to progress to the next round of the FA Cup at the expense of Millwall. Palace chairman Steve Parish also confirmed at half-time that Mateta had suffered a 'bad gash behind his ear' and a 'head injury'.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MATETA, PALACE AND MILLWALL?

Jean-Philippe Mateta rushed to hospital after he's shockingly kicked in the face during FA Cup clash with Millwall as perplexed fans go crazy at referee Michael Oliver for missing horrendous incident | Goal.com

Michael Oliver was criticised after failing to stop play despite Crystal Palace&apos;s Jean-Philippe Mateta being kicked in the face against Millwall.

Jean-Philippe Mateta rushed to hospital after he&apos;s shockingly kicked in the face during FA Cup clash with Millwall as perplexed fans go crazy at referee Michael Oliver for missing horrendous incident

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