Crystal Palace have lodged an appeal against the red card awarded to Jean-Philippe Mateta during their 2-0 defeat to Tottenham last Saturday.
Mateta was sent off in the 13th minute, following a VAR review, for a studs-up challenge on Micky van de Ven as the pair contested for a loose ball at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Referee Michael Oliver originally awarded Mateta a yellow card but upgraded his decision after being sent to the monitor to have a second look at the challenge.
Details of the incident
With Palace down to 10 men, Spurs took control of the game and sealed a comfortable victory after goals in either half from Archie Gray and Jan Paul van Hecke.
Mateta landed on top of Van de Ven’s right ankle with his studs up as he chased a pass into space, and Oliver deemed the 29-year-old to have used “full forceful contact” as he explained his decision inside the stadium.
Palace’s view, though, is that Mateta’s challenge was accidental, and they argue that the French international had his eyes on the ball and did not see Van de Ven coming.
Potential suspension and upcoming fixtures
Mateta currently faces a three-match suspension, but Palace hope the decision is either overturned or his ban reduced.
Pierre Sage, who is under increasing pressure to turn things around at Palace, has only recently welcomed Mateta back into the fold after a hamstring injury and will desperately want his star striker back available.
If Mateta’s ban is upheld, he would miss this weekend’s home game against Liverpool, as well as crunch fixtures against newly promoted teams Coventry and Hull.
He will, however, be available for selection when Palace host Hoffenheim and Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
