Simon Jordan has labelled Millwall fans as “imbeciles” for their support of Liam Roberts.
The goalkeeper was sent off during the Lions’ the FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday for a dangerous challenge which left striker Jean-Philippe Mateta needing 25 stitches in his ear. He has been banned for three matches.
Millwall have criticised the reporting of the incident, saying it has “contributed to an unwarranted character assassination” and “fuelled abhorrent” online abuse towards Roberts.
And the home fans showed their support for Roberts by chanting his name during Tuesday night’s match against Bristol City.
Speaking on Talksport, former Palace owner Jordan described them as “imbeciles” for doing so, adding: “He has been consequenced for his actions.
“He seriously hurt another professional footballer for no particular reason other than being reckless and cowardly.
“Of course he went out and acted in a cowardly way – there was no jeopardy for him in that. He wasn’t going to get hurt.”
‘Absurd’
Nevertheless, many Lions fans feel Roberts has been treated unfairly. The chanting of his name was a defiant gesture and highlighted that many supporters feel their club has again been portrayed in an overly negative way.
But Jordan said: “For the Millwall fans to feel that they can celebrate their goalkeeper by clapping and god knows whatever else and feel that they’re the victims of a conspiracy against them because people are out to get them is nonsense. It was an appalling challenge.
“The Millwall fans being galvanised by the feeling that everybody’s against them – which is their favourite chant anyway: ‘Nobody likes us’ – I think is absurd, I genuinely do.”