In a surprising move, Millwall Football Club has decided to remove goalkeeper Liam Roberts from the running for the club’s Player of the Season award.
This decision comes after Roberts, 30, faced intense online abuse following a controversial incident last month.
The club, along with its captain, Shaun Hutchinson, hopes to protect Roberts and his family from further distress.
The Incident and Backlash
The controversy began during an FA Cup match between Millwall and Crystal Palace in early March, when Roberts was sent off for a dangerously reckless challenge on Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The tackle sparked outrage, with Palace chairman Steve Parish claiming that Roberts had endangered Mateta’s life.
Roberts was subsequently handed a six-match ban, while Mateta, who suffered no lasting injury, returned to action with a protective helmet.
Despite Mateta’s recovery, the backlash against Roberts escalated, with many condemning the goalkeeper’s actions.
Millwall expressed their disgust at the “horrific online abuse” directed at Roberts, highlighting the emotional toll it took on him and his family.
Millwall’s Decision to Remove Roberts from Player of the Season Voting
To prevent further harm, Millwall made the difficult decision to exclude Roberts from the Player of the Season vote.
Club captain Hutchinson explained the reasoning behind the decision in a statement to BBC Radio 5 Live.
He shared that the team understood the overwhelming support Roberts had received from fans, but there was concern that if Roberts placed highly in the voting, it could reignite the negative attention surrounding the incident.
Hutchinson emphasized that the squad wanted to protect Roberts from the possibility of enduring more abuse, noting that Roberts and his family had already experienced death threats and an onslaught of hostile messages.
“We can’t allow that to happen again,” Hutchinson said, underscoring the club’s commitment to shielding their teammate from further distress.
Roberts Speaks Out Following Suspension
After receiving his suspension, Roberts publicly addressed the situation with a heartfelt statement.
He expressed his remorse for the tackle and reiterated that there was no ill intent behind the challenge.
Roberts also took the opportunity to apologize to Mateta, whom he had reached out to personally after the incident.
In his statement, Roberts condemned the abusive messages he received, describing them as “unthinkable” and deeply hurtful to both him and his family.
He thanked the football community for their support during the difficult time and expressed his gratitude to Millwall for standing by him.
“The togetherness throughout this club is unique,” he wrote, looking forward to returning to the pitch and playing in front of Millwall’s fans again.
A Call for Kindness and Understanding
Roberts’ message ended with a plea for kindness: “Be kind. Take care.”
It’s a reminder that behind the headlines and controversies, there are real people who endure the consequences of their actions and the reactions of others.
As Millwall moves forward, the club’s focus is not just on protecting their players, but also fostering a supportive environment for everyone involved.