Michael Oliver was criticised after failing to stop play despite Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta being kicked in the face against Millwall.
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Oliver failed to stop play despite Mateta injuryVAR called for red card for goalkeeper after review Lengthy delay saw Palace striker rushed to hospitalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
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.
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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 some Millwall fans saying 'let him die' as tempers flared between the London rivals.
WHAT THE FANS SAID
One Eagles fanpage, The Palace Way, posted on X: "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."
Another fan described Oliver as 'by far the worst ref in the country' and called for him to be 'sacked' after his delay in stopping play.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MATETA, PALACE AND MILLWALL?
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'.