Chelsea Maresca Jackson
(Credit: Imago and Sky Sports)
Keith Hackett
Mon 2 June 2025 17:41, UK
Keith Hackett has confirmed he wants to see longer bans for offences such as the one that saw Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson sent off against Newcastle.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider he would like to see players given a minimum five-match ban for the use of an elbow, although noted the difficult position the FA find themselves in.
Enzo Maresca eventually enjoyed a successful first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea winning the UEFA Conference League and qualifying for the Champions League as well.
However, there hopes of doing the latter had been dealt a blow late following an incident involving Jackson and Sven Botman.
Keith Hackett
Keith Hackett wants stronger action after Nicolas Jackson’s recent red card
Nicolas Jackson sent off in Newcastle United defeat
Last month, Chelsea had travelled to Newcastle in a clash between two of the clubs who were still in the hunt for Champions League football at that point.
After Sandro Tonali had given the hosts an early lead, the Blues then saw their task get even harder when Jackson was sent off for elbowing Botman as the face as they challenged for a high ball.
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Hackett was critical of referee John Brooks for needing VAR to dismiss Jackson, for what he felt was a clear red card.
He also took aim at the Chelsea striker for the “extremely dangerous” use of the elbow as a “weapon” against his opponent.
With the offence deemed to be serious foul play, Jackson was given a three-match ban which will end after the first Premier League game of next season.
Hackett though, believes that such offences need to be punished in an even more severe way.
Chelsea Jackson
Chelsea striker’s offence needs harsher sanctions
After being asked by Football Insider if his description of the use of the elbow as “extremely dangerous” and a “weapon” means he believes a longer ban than three matches is needed, Hackett said: “I’ve always thought that where a player deliberately uses his elbow it should be a minimum five [match suspension].
“What the referee looks for of course if the clench fist, because if you’re doing that it’s rare. If you’re using the palm of your hand [it could be for] elevation etc.
“This is the detection that says clenched fist, going back at speed, with a sudden jerky moment, that’s where you detect the malice that’s in that challenge.
“But I suppose what the FA face is they’ll class it under serious foul play, and serious foul play is a three-match ban.
“That’s the difficulty that they have, because they themselves negotiate with the LMA and PFA and those sort of things, they have the discussions and they find what level of punishment’s coming in.”
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