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Millwall have condemned “disgusting” abuse aimed at goalkeeper Liam Roberts, who was sent off for kicking Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta in a head-high tackle in Saturday’s <\/b>3-1 FA Cup fifth round defeat <\/b><\/a>at Selhurst Park.<\/b><\/p>\n Mateta had to be stretchered off the field of play after receiving eight minutes of treatment following the incident, and later needed 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear.<\/p>\n Millwall said Roberts, 30, had contacted Mateta that evening “with an apology which was accepted immediately”.<\/p>\n In a statement released on Monday, the Lions said the reporting of the incident had “contributed to an unwarranted character assassination” and “fuelled abhorrent” online abuse towards Roberts.<\/p>\n “The club are disgusted by abuse directed towards goalkeeper Liam Roberts following Saturday’s unfortunate collision with Jean-Philippe Mateta,” the Championship club said.<\/p>\n “The reporting on the matter, as well as disgraceful suggestions made by certain news organisations and high-profile figures within the sport that Liam intended to harm Jean-Philippe, has contributed to the unwarranted character assassination of Liam and fuelled abhorrent online abuse towards him.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n