Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has claimed that his ear was "destroyed" by a challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts earlier this month.
Mateta required oxygen as he received on-field treatment for almost 10 minutes before being stretchered off and taken to an ambulance after being kicked in the head by Roberts in a 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round win for Palace at Selhurst Park.
Roberts was shown a straight red card for the high challenge in the eighth minute - one labelled as "the most reckless challenge" ever seen by Palace chairman Steve Parish - and the goalkeeper subsequently had a three-match ban increased to six games by the Football Association.
In the evening of Palace's win over Millwall on March 1, Mateta was discharged from St George's Hospital where he received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear.
The Frenchman then travelled to Marbella last week where his Palace teammates have taken part in a mid-season training camp, and he is targeting a return to Oliver Glasner's side when they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 29.
© Imago
Mateta admits he was "lucky" to avoid more severe injury
After providing a positive update on his condition shortly after Palace's win over Millwall, Mateta has since acknowledged that he could have sustained an even more serious injury had he not turned his head at the last moment.
"I was afraid I'd have broken bones or blood in my brain but in fact, my ear was just destroyed," Mateta told L'Equipe. "At the last moment, I had the reflex to turn my face. I was lucky because if I hadn't, I would have taken his foot right in the head, and it would have been much worse."
Mateta has accepted an apology from Roberts, saying: "I told him, 'Don't worry, it's not that serious. He could have avoided doing that, but these things happen."
Palace's No.14 is required to wear a customised mask to protect his ear when he returns to first-team action, and he has revealed how a plastic surgeon 'found a way to save his ear'.
Goal: Matheus França 🇧🇷
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 13, 2025
Approval: Jean-Philippe Mateta 🇫🇷#CPFC pic.twitter.com/BG8WLwAziQ
Mateta: 'Plastic surgeon found a way to save my ear'
"A plastic surgery specialist came and took pictures of my ear, which he refused to show me, so as not to let them stay in my head," Mateta added. "Obviously, it didn't look like an ear any more.
"At the beginning of the operation, the surgeon had a lot of trouble, but afterwards, as he explained to me, he found a way to save my ear. He did a hell of a job.
"I have to be careful to prevent it from getting infected, I have to wash it every time I sweat.
"Next week, I should be able to participate in training matches, but for that, I'll need a mask while my ear finishes healing.
"I've been sent several models, and I'll have to choose between those that just cover the ear and others that cover the whole face."
Mateta has been a standout performer for Palace this season, scoring 15 goals in 33 games across all competitions, including eight strikes in his last eight Premier League appearances for a side who currently sit 12th in the top-flight table.
Oliver Thomas
