Millwall fans back Roberts after red card criticism

Millwall fans showed their support for goalkeeper Liam Roberts by holding a minute's applause during the Championship defeat by Bristol City.

Roberts was sent off in the ninth minute of the FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday for a dangerous challenge which left striker Jean-Philippe Mateta needing 25 stitches to his left ear.

Roberts missed Tuesday's 2-0 defeat by Bristol City at the Den as he was serving the first match of a three-game ban.

In the ninth minute Millwall supporters applauded while singing "there's only one Liam Roberts". There were also some boos.

Palace chairman Steve Parish described the challenge as "the most reckless I've ever seen".

On Monday Millwall said reporting of the incident "contributed to an unwarranted character assassination" and "fuelled abhorrent" online abuse towards Roberts.

Millwall said Roberts contacted Mateta after the match "with an apology which was accepted immediately".

Michael Oliver, who refereed the game, will not be involved in a Premier League match this weekend.

He sent Roberts off for the challenge after intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR).