Millwall have reportedly banned journalists from The New Den after being unhappy with the coverage of their controversial FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace. The Championship side lost 3-1 at Selhurst Park, but the game was overshadowed by a sickening injury to home striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Mateta required 25 stitches after Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts caught him with a wreckless head-high challenge in the first half. Roberts received a red car for his horrific challenge, while Mateta was fitted with an oxygen mask before being stretchered off. As he left the field, chants of ‘Let him die’ seemed to come from the away end.
According to the Daily Mail, their reporters have now been barred from attending Millwall’s club matches and press conferences. They claim the ban followed their request to speak to Roberts, who was vociferously criticised by Mail columnist Chris Sutton on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast.
The media outlet has also said club chiefs were left unhappy over the lack of coverage of Palace fans allegedly copying the ‘Let him die’ song when Millwall’s Camiel Neghli later went down with the injury. The Mail claims that the incident was sufficiently covered in their match reports and comment pieces.
Furthermore, they say they have contacted other outlets who also reported the chanting of Millwall fans. However, their reporters have not been subjected to bans.
The Football Association cannot issue sanctions for the chants but have confirmed they are investigating allegations of homophobic abuse directed at Palace loanee Ben Chilwell. The authority could also still appeal the standard three-game suspension Roberts will get for a straight red card if they deem the punishment insufficient.
During half-time of the clash, Palace chairman Steve Parish gave a BBC interviewwhere he fiercely criticised Roberts, saying: “In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve never seen a challenge like it.
“I looked to see how old the keeper was, and he’s 30 years old. That’s the most reckless challenge on a football pitch, I think I’ve ever seen. I think he needs to have a long, hard look at himself that lad.”
