The club challenged the striker’s dismissal following their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, October 31, but the Football Association has confirmed that an independent disciplinary commission rejected the appeal.
The commission dismissed both Palace’s claim that the sending-off was wrongful and its argument that the punishment was excessive. Mateta was shown a straight red card for serious foul play and will consequently serve a three-match suspension.
There was better news for Crystal Palace’s Academy, with the Under-21s reaching the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy for the first time after a 2-1 win against Newport at Rodney Parade.
Jasper Judd gave the visitors a first-half lead before James Crole equalised for Newport. David Angibeaud then scored a late winner to secure a landmark result for Darren Powell’s side.
The Palace head coach was particularly pleased with the way his players responded to Newport’s pressure after the interval, when they were forced to defend their advantage.
“Really good first half. I thought we used the ball really well and were good in possession. Obviously, we got the goal, but in the second half we knew they were going to come at us,” Powell said.
“I said at half-time that they were going to put balls into the box, and it was about us using the ball properly and not playing into the middle of the pitch where they were setting traps.”
Although Palace conceded, Powell was encouraged by the team's response and its determination to keep fighting.
“Obviously, we gave the goal away, but that's what I wanted to see – they didn't give in. They stuck through the tough times in the game, and then we got the goal from Big Dave [Angibeaud]. After that, it was backs to the wall again, and that's the character you want to see from the group,” he added.
“It's something we've been speaking about, really defending as a unit. They showed that massively today, and I'm proud of them.”
The result was especially significant because Palace had never previously reached the EFL Trophy knockout stages since entering the competition in 2021-22.
Powell had challenged his players to seize the opportunity, and he was delighted that they understood what was at stake.
“I said to those guys, it's about what they want to do. Do they want to be the first team to do something we've never done before? It was in our hands – we win the game and that gives us the opportunity to go through,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of learning to manage difficult moments against senior opposition, with the competition offering Academy players a different kind of challenge.
“It's about learning how to win a game of football. You have to defend as a man and as a team, stand up to it, and they did.”
Powell believes the experience should provide valuable lessons as Palace continue their development, but he does not want the players to treat the achievement as a one-off.
“Every game has got to mean something to you,” he said, pointing to the importance of maintaining the same commitment in their next fixture against Everton.