Crystal Palace are challenging the dismissal of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, the French-born forward of Congolese heritage, after Saturday's loss to Tottenham.
Diaspora talent is back in the Premier League spotlight, and not for the reason Jean-Philippe Mateta wanted. The French-born striker, who is of Congolese heritage, has seen Crystal Palace launch an appeal against the red card he received in Saturday's defeat to Tottenham.
Palace are not accepting the dismissal quietly. The club has formally challenged the decision, hoping to get the card overturned and avoid losing their frontman for the games that would follow an automatic suspension.
Mateta has become a central figure in Palace's attack, and his physical presence and finishing make him hard to replace. Losing him, even for a short spell, would hurt a side that leans on his work leading the line. That is why the club is pushing back.
Now the case moves to the review process. Palace will be hoping the appeal succeeds, while Mateta's supporters across the diaspora wait to see whether one of the league's most watched strikers of African descent will be available when it matters.
