Jackson was sent off against NewcastleJackson was sent off against Newcastle
Jackson was sent off against Newcastle | Getty Images
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson will now be suspended after his red card against Newcastle United.
Enzo Maresca’s men battled well in the second half, coming close through Malo Gusto late in the game, but it was put to bed when Bruno Guimaraes found the top corner with the help of a significant deflection. The result now means the Blues could drop out of the top five, with Nottingham Forest two points behind and with a game in-hand to play, facing Leicester City later on Sunday.
Newcastle now go three points ahead and above Manchester City by one point, into third. Aston Villa are goal difference behind Chelsea after their big win on Saturday. Chelsea have Manchester United and Nottingham Forest to play as they look to bag Champions League football, but how many games will Jackson be absent for? Here we take a look.
Why was Nicolas Jackson sent off Vs Newcastle United?
Jackson was sent off for an elbow to the face of Sven Botman in the 35th minute. The referee initially gave a yellow card but was asked to the review the decision on the VAR monitor, later upgrading it to a straight red card.
The Premier League then confirmed on X that the red card was for serious foul play. The post read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Jackson – and deemed that the challenge by Jackson on Botman was a serious foul play offence, therefore recommended an on-field review. The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.”
The Premier League defines serious foul play as: “A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play. Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”
Naturally, Chelsea can appeal the red card, but they are unlikely to given the clear nature of it.
How long will Nicolas Jackson be suspended for?
Jackson will now almost certainly face a three-games suspension. The Premier League have the right to dish out longer suspensions, but unless they are very over the top, an intentional elbow to the face usually results in a three-game suspension.
That means Jackson will miss the remaining Chelsea league games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. He will also miss the first Premier League game of next season, with the suspension carrying over to the next league fixture.
Will Nicolas Jackson miss the Europa Conference League final?
Chelsea face Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final on May May 28, in Wroclaw, Poland. Nicolas Jackson will be available to play that fixture despite being suspended in the Premier League. Domestic suspensions do not apply to European competition.
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