Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has avoided punishment for pushing his hand into the face of Nottingham Forest substitute Morato.
Jackson will not face any retrospective consequences for the incident, which is a positive for Chelsea, as they will be without Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana due to suspensions for their upcoming match against Liverpool.
Chelsea may face additional fines as they, along with Forest, have been charged by the FA for failing to control their players during a late brawl in Sunday’s 1-1 draw, where Jackson struck out at Morato.
Missing Jackson for any extended period would have been a significant setback for Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, but the Senegal international will be ready to play against Liverpool.
Jackson netted four goals this season and formed a strong partnership with Chelsea’s star player, Cole Palmer.
The Football Association confirmed that VAR reviewed the incident involving Jackson, who had already been substituted, along with the report from referee Christopher Kavanagh.
Regarding the altercation between the two teams, an FA spokesperson stated: “Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been charged after the mass confrontation at their Premier League fixture on Sunday, 6 October. Both teams are accused of failing to make sure their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 88th minute. Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have until Thursday, 10 October, to provide their responses.”
Chelsea will need to pay a £50,000 fine for having six or more players booked for the second time this season, having previously done so against Bournemouth, for which they were fined £25,000.
Cucurella and Fofana Face Suspensions Amid Discipline Issues
Cucurella and Fofana will each serve one-match suspensions after becoming the first Premier League players to accumulate five bookings this season, achieving this milestone in just seven games. This quick accumulation of yellow cards highlights the team’s ongoing struggle with discipline on the pitch. It casts doubt on their capacity to uphold a competitive edge without key players. The absence of both players for an upcoming match could have significant implications for Chelsea’s performance, as they will need to adjust their strategy and lineup to compensate for these suspensions.
Moreover, Chelsea is on track to break their own undesirable Premier League record, having received an astonishing 27 yellow cards in their opening seven matches. This alarming statistic underscores a pattern of aggressive play and frequent fouls that has characterized their season so far. The sheer number of bookings not only reflects the difficulties the group encounters in terms of controlling their aggression but also places additional pressure on the coaching staff to instill better discipline among the players. If they continue at this rate, Chelsea could finish the season with an unprecedented number of bookings, raising questions about their tactics and approach to the game. The team must find a balance between maintaining their competitive spirit and ensuring that their players remain on the field to contribute to the matches ahead.
Maresca’s team is currently averaging nearly four yellow cards per game, a statistic that raises significant concerns about their disciplinary record. If this trend continues, Chelsea could finish the league season with just over 146 bookings, a staggering number that highlights the aggressive style of play the team has adopted this season.
This potential total would not only reflect the team’s struggle with maintaining discipline on the pitch but also easily surpass the Premier League record for bookings in a single season. Chelsea set this record last year, concluding the campaign with 105 yellow cards. This total was already notable, as it surpassed the previous record of 101 bookings held by Leeds United. If Chelsea were to reach 146 bookings, it would set a new benchmark that underscores the challenges they face in balancing competitiveness with discipline.
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