(Credit: BBC Sport)

Keith Hackett

Sat 1 March 2025 17:00, UK

Keith Hackett has called on the FA to act after Millwall fans chanted at Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta whilst he received treatment for a head injury.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider the chants from away fans were “from the gutter”, insisting the FA must act against them.

Mateta was taken to hospital following a reckless challenge from Milwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the eighth minute.

The English goalkeeper was attempting to intercept a long ball aimed at the French striker, but instead kicked him in the head, causing the former Mainz man to require 13 minutes of on-pitch treatment.

Referee Michael Oliver was slammed for his decision not to immediately send Roberts off, with VAR forced to intervene and send the official to the monitor.

Oliver was also criticised by Richard Keys after the pundit condemned his “ineptitude” for failing to brandish a red card initially.

Millwall fans chant ‘let him die’ as Jean-Philippe Mateta treated

Prior to being taken to hospital, Man United target Mateta was given on-pitch treatment, with the seriousness of the situation apparent for anyone to see.

Millwall fans initially began chanting about VAR, frustrated their side had been reduced to 10 men following Roberts’ red card.

However, things took a dark turn, when the chorus of Lions fans turned their frustrations towards the stricken striker, chanting “let him die” whilst Mateta lay prone.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, had this to say about the chants, and what The FA needed to do in response:

“The chants from so called football fans are from the gutter. I call on The FA to act.

“The challenge for The FA is how to deal with the chants of ‘Let him die‘. That is damaging to the image of our great game and this competition.

“For a guy that is on oxygen and probably on his way to hospital is equally unacceptable.

“How the FA can deal with that I don’t know, but there is a very poor image of the game with this sort of challenge and the response by the away-team fans.”

Concerns for Jean-Philippe Mateta wellbeing override winning feeling

Any injury to your team’s star player will be a major concern for fans, but Palace supporters will be desperate to hear good news about their talismanic striker.

At times this season, Mateta has carried the London side to wins singlehandedly, and has garnered a cult status at Selhurst Park.

Following his injury, Palace chairman Steve Parish spoke at half-time, updating supporters on the Frenchman’s status, saying he had a gash to the head and was receiving treatment.

Eddie Nketiah was signed from Arsenal in the summer, and is likely to fill Mateta’s spot in the starting line-up for the time being.