Millwall Football Club has decided to remove goalkeeper Liam Roberts from the club’s player of the season vote after a wave of horrific online abuse he endured following a controversial incident.
This move, which was confirmed by club captain Shaun Hutchinson, aims to protect Roberts from further negative attention and allow the team to move past the event.
The Incident with Crystal Palace
In early March, Roberts was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Jean-Philippe Mateta during Millwall’s FA Cup match against Crystal Palace.
The tackle led to a six-match suspension for Roberts, while Mateta, after recovering from the injury, made his return to action later that month with a protective helmet.
The tackle, which some labeled reckless, sparked a massive backlash.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish even suggested that Roberts had endangered Mateta’s life with his actions, adding fuel to the fire of the controversy.
Fans and pundits alike criticized Roberts for the challenge, leading to a storm of online abuse, including death threats directed at both Roberts and his family.
The Club’s Response
Millwall swiftly condemned the abuse directed at Roberts and issued a statement expressing their disgust.
The club made it clear that they would not tolerate such behavior and made steps to shield Roberts from further harm.
To this end, they removed Roberts from the player of the season voting, hoping to avoid reopening the wounds of the incident and the negative press that followed.
Shaun Hutchinson’s Statement
In an effort to address the situation, Hutchinson spoke openly to BBC Radio 5 Live.
He thanked the fans for their support of Roberts but emphasized the club’s decision to remove Roberts from the vote.
Hutchinson expressed concerns that Roberts finishing in the top spots of the vote could reignite the abusive backlash and bring unwanted attention back to the painful episode.
Hutchinson stated, “We can’t allow that to happen again,” underscoring how important it was for the club to protect Roberts and his family from further harm.
Roberts Responds to the Backlash
After receiving his suspension, Roberts issued a heartfelt statement where he shared his personal response to the incident.
He expressed regret over the tackle, insisting that there was no malice behind his challenge.
Roberts also addressed the barrage of hateful messages and threats he received, emphasizing how damaging the abuse had been to his family.
In his statement, Roberts revealed that he had personally apologized to Jean-Philippe Mateta, who assured him that he was okay, easing some of his guilt over the incident.
Roberts expressed deep disappointment over the false accusations that he had intended to harm a fellow professional.
He made it clear that his sole intention was never to cause harm, adding, “I have categorically never stepped onto a football pitch with the intention of hurting anyone.”
Moving Forward
The goalkeeper thanked the Millwall community and football fans who had supported him through this difficult period.
His statement ended on a hopeful note, promising to return to the pitch as soon as possible and thanking everyone for their kind words.
“Be kind. Take care, Robbo,” he concluded, emphasizing the importance of kindness in the face of adversity.
This episode serves as a reminder of the damaging effects of online abuse and how it can impact not only players but their families as well.
As Millwall continues to rally behind Roberts, the club hopes to move past this difficult chapter, focusing on the team’s future rather than the past.