Overview

• In an interview with L'Équipe, Mateta said teammates "like Wilfried Zaha" laughed when he spoke of playing for France early in his Crystal Palace career.
• Zaha posted an angry video response denying he ever bullied anyone and condemning the decision to single him out.
• He said around 10 Palace players took part in joking conversation about Mateta's chances and insisted no one told him he would never make it.
• Zaha noted he had publicly congratulated Mateta on his recent international breakthrough and questioned why his name was used.
• Pundits on talkSPORT framed the row as typical dressing-room banter, and there have been no retractions from Mateta or official club statements reported.