Milwall have removed Liam Roberts from the club’s player of the season award vote to avoid further ‘horrific online abuse’, according to club captain Shaun Hutchinson.
The goalkeeper was sent off for a horror challenge on Jean-Phillipe Mateta in his side’s FA Cup clash against Crystal Palace at the start of March.
The 30-year-old was issued a six-match ban for his transgressions, meanwhile, Mateta returned to action for Palace at the end of last month, donning a protective helmet.
Roberts had been criticised for his dangerous challenge – Palace chairman Steve Parish saying the keeper endangered Mateta’s life in the incident.
Milwall released a statement after the fact, lamenting the backlash their man had received by stating they were ‘disgusted’ by the ‘abuse’ directed towards him by football fans online.
Now, the club have made it so that fans cannot vote for Roberts as Milwall’s player of the season, in order to prevent renewed attention towards last month’s events.
Milwall have decided to remove Liam Roberts from their player of the season award vote
The goalkeeper was handed a six-match ban after a horror challenge on Jean-Phillipe Mateta
Mateta was forced off in Milwall’s FA Cup defeat by Crystal Palace at the start of last month
Club captain Hutchinson told BBC Radio 5 Live in a statement: ‘As we approach the end-of-season awards ceremony and celebrate some of the outstanding performances across the campaign, we want to be open and transparent with you about a subject we’ve discussed as a squad.
‘Your incredible support for Liam Roberts since the Crystal Palace match has meant the world to him and his family during an incredibly difficult time.
‘We also understand that many of you have continued to show that support by voting for him as player of the season.
‘With that in mind, there’s concern within the squad that a placed finish for Robbo could unintentionally resurface a lot of the external abuse and negative stories directed at him — issues we as a club have been steadily moving forward from.
‘Robbo and his family endured endless, horrific online abuse following the FA Cup tie. He and his wife received death threats, his name was dragged through the headlines, and we witnessed a teammate go through a nightmare.
‘We can’t allow that to happen again and have shared this view with the Millwall Supporters’ Club.’
