Jean-Philippe Mateta injury was so severe his plastic surgeon refused to show him pictures of his ear.
The Crystal Palace forward was rushed to hospital and given 26 stitches for a ‘severe laceration’ following a horror collision with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
It saw him suffer the serious facial injury receiving a boot to the face leading nine medics arrived on the scene to treat Mateta – who was laid out on the turf for eight minutes.
The goalkeeper was sent off in the eighth minute of Millwall’s 3-1 FA Cup defeat to the Eagles.
Discussing his injury speaking to L’Equipe, Mateta said: “I was afraid I’d have broken bones or blood in my brain but in fact, my ear was just destroyed.
“At the last moment, I had the reflex to turn my face.
“I was lucky because if I hadn’t, I would have taken his foot right in the head, and it would have been much worse.
“A plastic surgery specialist came and took pictures of my ear, which he refused to show me, so as not to let them stay in my head.
“Obviously, it didn’t look like an ear any more.
“At the beginning of the operation, the surgeon had a lot of trouble, but afterwards, as he explained to me, he found a way to save my ear. He did a hell of a job.
“I have to be careful to prevent it from getting infected, I have to wash it every time I sweat.”
Asked if he had forgiven the Millwall goalkeeper, Mateta replied: “I told him, ‘Don’t worry, it’s not that serious’.
“He could have avoided doing that, but these things happen.”
Roberts was handed a six-match ban for the accidental challenge and received heavy criticism from the football world, but apologised in a statement and said he was ‘devastated’ by what happened.
His statement said: “Hello everyone. As the dust settles, I want to address what has been a really difficult week for all concerned, including my family and I.
“Firstly, to Jean-Philippe, who I continue to send my best wishes to in his recovery. As soon as I could, I reached out to Jean-Philippe personally to apologise, and I was thankful to hear back from him that evening that he was OK and reassured me not to worry.
“I am devastated by what happened. I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment. Furthermore, it has been extremely unpleasant to observe suggestions that I intended to harm a fellow professional. I have categorically never stepped onto a football pitch with the intention of hurting anyone.
“Misleading articles and comments have resulted in an unthinkable amount of abusive messages and threats towards my family and I. To the footballing community who know me and reached out with support through this tough time, thank you, I appreciate every single message.
“Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody connected to Millwall Football Club for their continued support. The togetherness throughout this club is unique, and I can’t wait to be back out on the pitch in front of our fans.
“Be kind. Take care, Robbo.”
talkSPORT co-host Jason Cundy, while acknowledging it was an accident, said it was still shocking to see. “I don’t think he meant to do what he did to Mateta.
Initially Roberts was banned for three games, but Cundy was one of many who thought it warranted additional punishment. “It was an honest challenge, reckless.
“There is no place on the football field for that challenge. That’s not just a kick in the head.
“I’ve seen kicks in the head, we’ve all seen it, we’ve all played in games, right? That’s not a kick in the head. There’s no play, that challenge should never be seen on a football field.
“Some of the stick that he’s got, I’ve not seen it all, but by all accounts, it’s quite bad.”
Mateta will be desperate to return to action following a wonderful season with Crystal Palace in which he’s scored 15 goals in 33 games.
Next up is a trip to face Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, March 29.
