The English FA has increased the ban of Millwall goalkeeper, Liam Roberts for his horror tackle on Crystal Palace striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Roberts was shown a straight red card during last weekend’s FA Cup clash between the south London rivals.
This follows after he kicked Mateta in the head as he attempted to clear the ball eight minutes into the match.
Mateta received oxygen during lengthy treatment on the pitch after the challenge.
He was then taken to hospital where he required 25 stiches in his left ear.
Roberts was set to serve a standard three-match suspension but will now sit out Millwall’s next six matches after the FA extended his ban.
The ban means the goalkeeper will not be able to play until Millwall’s match against Sheffield United on 8 April.
Mateta meanwhile will miss Crystal Palace’s Premier League game against Ipswich on Saturday but could return for their FA Cup tie against Fulham next weekend.
However, in a statement released on Friday, the FA described Roberts’ initial ban as ‘clearly insufficient’.
“An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld The FA’s claim to increase the suspension of Millwall’s Liam Roberts,” the statement partly read.
“Following a hearing, the Regulatory Commission upheld The FA’s claim, set aside the standard three-match punishment, and instead imposed a six-match ban.”
