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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>Mateta taken to hospital over horror challenge </li><li>Referee Oliver initially fails to send off Milwall keeper</li><li>Won't officiate weekend's PL games as a result </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>

Michael Oliver not on latest Premier League referees' list after initially failing to send off Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts for horror challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta that left Crystal Palace star needing 25 stitches

Championship

Millwall

Stoke

FA Cup

Fulham

Crystal Palace

<p>Mateta was rushed to hospital after Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jean-philippe-mateta-rushed-hospital-shockingly-kicked-face-fa-cup-millwall-michael-oliver-miss/bltf167423f97f391fe#cs18402db3ccb9ea87" target="_blank">kicked the Palace striker in the face</a> in their FA Cup win at the weekend. Now, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6173894/2025/03/04/michael-oliver-roberts-mateta/?source=bsky_uk" target="_blank">The Athletic</a> claims Oliver has not been given a refereeing appointment for matchweek 28 (March 8-10) after his decision to initially not send off the Lions keeper on Saturday. Play was stopped for several minutes while the 6ft 4in forward <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jean-philippe-mateta-conscious-hospital-suffering-serious-head-injury-oliver-glasner-millwall-goalkeeper-dangerous-challenge/bltc06988673272ce36" target="_blank">received treatment</a> and after consulting his pitchside monitor, Roberts was eventually red carded by the 40-year-old official. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Mateta needed <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jean-philippe-mateta-update-25-stitches-horrific-tackle-millwall-liam-roberts-crystal-palace-striker-ear-almost-half/bltbc0076cb8f0fc3c9" target="_blank">25 stitches to his left ear</a> as a result of the challenge, but the 27-year-old said he was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jean-philippe-mateta-issues-relieving-update-from-hospital-crystal-palace-star-suffers-horrific-head-injury-millwall/blt91f495581894afb3" target="_blank">"doing well"</a> later that day. While the Frenchman is on the road to recovery, Roberts is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/horror-challenge-jean-philippe-mateta-millwall-goalkeeper-extended-suspension-fa-crystal-palace-fa-cup/blt56d38d04840aa9eb" target="_blank">facing an extended ban for his actions</a>. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The report adds that Oliver, who sent off Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolves in January before that was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-win-appeal-myles-lewis-skelly-red-card-michael-oliver-decision-reversed-fa-three-match-suspension-removed/bltca6de759eb19c8df" target="_blank">overturned following an appeal</a>, is not on fourth official or video assistant referee duty this weekend as well. </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>While Oliver is not in Premier League action this weekend, he will be in charge of Bayern Munich's Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. </p>

WHAT NEXT?

Michael Oliver not on latest Premier League referees' list after initially failing to send off Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts for horror challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta that left Crystal Palace star needing 25 stitches | Goal.com

Referee Michael Oliver will not officiate any Premier League games this weekend due to how he handled the horror foul on Jean Philippe-Mateta.

Michael Oliver not on latest Premier League referees&apos; list after initially failing to send off Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts for horror challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta that left Crystal Palace star needing 25 stitches

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