MILLWALL have banned the Daily Mail from their matches and press conferences, according to the paper.
The fallout from the Lions’ 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday has continued as the Mail claim they have been banned for reporting Millwall fans sang ‘let him die’ after Jean-Philippe Mateta was floored by a kick to the head from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
Roberts was sent off as Mateta was receiving treatment. The France striker was taken to hospital and released after needing 25 stitches to a cut.
The Mail said they found out about the ban after asking to speak to Roberts. They explained: “Among the accusations directed at the Daily Mail was that we did not sufficiently report Palace’s supporters borrowing the ‘let him die’ chant to mock Millwall’s Camiel Neghli when he turned his ankle nearly 30 minutes after the Mateta incident.
“That was highlighted in both our Sunday match report as well as Monday’s comment piece, in which we wrote ‘two wrongs do not make a right’ while describing the away fans’ behaviour as ‘boorish’ and ‘beastly’ for singing it originally as Mateta lay seriously hurt with a head wound.
“Checks made on Monday with correspondents from other newspapers who covered Palace’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Millwall – and mentioned the ‘let him die’ chants in their own coverage – found that they have not received a ban.”
Millwall released a statement on Monday condemning the abuse Roberts has received.
It read: “The club are disgusted by abuse directed towards goalkeeper Liam Roberts following Saturday’s unfortunate collision with Jean-Philippe Mateta.
“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.
“No player at Millwall Football Club steps on to the pitch with the intent to harm another, and the club will continue to support Liam, who reached out to Jean-Philippe personally on Saturday evening with an apology which was accepted immediately. The club are pleased to hear positive updates from Jean-Philippe and wish him the best in his recovery.”
