Zaha Refutes ‘Bullying’ Allegations in Strong Critique of Former Crystal Palace Teammate Mateta

Wilfried Zaha has vehemently denied allegations of bullying made by former Crystal Palace teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta. Mateta, now 28, recently shared his experience about being mocked for expressing ambitions of representing France while struggling for playing time at Crystal Palace.

Zaha’s Response to Bullying Claims

Mateta, who earned his first call-up to the French national team for the October internationals, claimed that Zaha and others in the dressing room ridiculed his dreams. He stated, “At Crystal Palace, right at the start, when I wasn’t even playing, I spoke about the France team in the dressing room, and my teammates like Wilfried Zaha were laughing.” Mateta emphasized that despite the lack of playing time, he remained determined to prove himself.

Zaha’s Explosive Reaction

In a strong rebuttal shared on social media, Zaha labeled Mateta’s assertions as “nasty” and denied ever being a dressing room bully. He stated, “I never bullied someone or said someone wouldn’t make it here.” Zaha clarified that he never dismissed Mateta’s ambitions but rather engaged in friendly banter typical among teammates.

Details of Their Conversations

• Zaha acknowledged discussing Mateta’s chances of making the France squad.
• According to Zaha, laughing was common in team banter, with ten players present during the conversation.
• He expressed disbelief that Mateta would single him out for alleged negative comments made in jest.

Zaha’s Career Overview

Zaha, who currently plays for Charlotte FC in the MLS on loan from Galatasaray, reflected on his long and successful career at Crystal Palace. He made 458 appearances over 11 years, scoring 90 goals and becoming a club legend. He recently congratulated Mateta publicly on social media.

Mateta’s Achievements

Mateta played a significant role in Crystal Palace’s history, contributing to their first major trophy, the FA Cup. He has scored 36 goals in the last two seasons and recently netted his first international goal for France in a match against Iceland, ending in a 2-2 draw.

This saga highlights the complexity of relationships in professional football and the implications of public claims. Zaha’s assertion that he prefers to avoid friendships within the sport underlines the pressure athletes face from both peers and public opinion.