Mar 29, 2025, 08:11 AM ET
Jean-Philippe Mateta made his first look on Saturday since his ear was once “destroyed” when he began Crystal Palace’s FA Cup quarterfinal conflict with Fulham, even supposing he did so dressed in a protecting helmet.
Mateta suffered the lacerated ear, which required 25 stitches, when he was once kicked within the head right through a collision with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in a fifth-round conflict previous this month.
The 27-year-old performed 70 mins right through Palace’s comfy 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage.
In an interview printed by way of L’Equipe, Mateta stated he was once fortunate the end result was once no longer extra serious.
“I used to be afraid I would have damaged bones or blood in my mind, however in reality, my ear was once simply destroyed,” Mateta stated. “On the closing second, I had the reflex to show my face. I used to be fortunate as a result of if I hadn’t, I might have taken his foot proper within the head, and it might were a lot worse.
Jean-Philippe Mateta will put on protecting headgear as he returns to motion for the primary time since struggling a horrific ear harm. Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside by means of Getty Photographs
“After that, I by no means misplaced awareness. I used to be mendacity at the flooring, and I stated to the physician: ‘I am effective, I need to play once more.’ However he, seeing my ear, answered: ‘No, you must move.’
“A cosmetic surgery specialist got here and took photos of my ear, which he refused to turn me, in order to not allow them to keep in my head. Clearly, it did not seem like an ear any longer. Firstly of the operation, the surgeon had a large number of hassle, however afterwards, as he defined to me, he discovered a strategy to save my ear. He did a hell of a task.”
Mateta’s ugly harm required 25 stitches and he was once discharged from medical institution after Palace earned a 3-1 win over Millwall.
Roberts’ preliminary three-game ban was once prolonged to 6 video games after the English Soccer Affiliation referred to as for added punishment. The goalkeeper later published he’d won abusive messages and threats.
“Liam contacted me and texted me whilst I used to be in medical institution and I informed him: ‘It’s OK, it’s soccer,'” Mateta stated in an interview with Sky Sports activities. “He apologised. He was once apprehensive.
“I do not believe he awoke and idea ‘I need to reduce the top of JP.’ There’s a large number of power. He sought after to do just right, an excessive amount of emotion makes you do loopy issues. It was once only a mistake. You be told from it.”
Mateta has scored 15 instances in all competitions for Palace this season.
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“He feels comfy,” Palace boss Oliver Glasner stated on Friday when requested about Mateta’s headgear. “When he ratings a header the following day then it was once the precise masks with the precise coverage. When I have watched JP in coaching he appears the similar like ahead of. He must get again into his rhythm; he could not educate for 2 weeks. One week he was once simply at house then he educated for every week for my part.
“He is been fortunate that not anything was once fractured, no concussion. It was once simply the ear. I comprehend it was once a horrible harm. Some gamers say that the ear appears higher than prior to now.”
Requested whether or not he was once apprehensive Mateta could be reluctant to enter demanding situations together with his head, Glasner stated: “He did it the entire closing two weeks. The physician and the group did a super task discovering the precise coverage. We attempted two or 3 other ones — the entirety is licensed by way of the Premier League. If I thought it is a downside, I would not play him.”
Knowledge from the Related Press contributed to this document
