Nicolas Jackson has apologised to Chelsea supporters and admitted he is ‘so angry’ at himself after picking up a second red card in just over a month.
The 24-year-old striker, already suspended domestically following his Premier League dismissal at Newcastle on May 11, lasted only four minutes on the pitch in Philadelphia during Friday’s 3-1 defeat by Flamengo at the FIFA Club World Cup.
He was shown a straight red card for raking his studs down the shin of Ayrton Lucas — just moments after coming off the bench.
It capped a night to forget for Chelsea, who had led early on through Pedro Neto’s second goal of the tournament but conceded twice in quick succession to Bruno Henrique and Danilo shortly before Jackson’s dismissal.
Wallace Yan later wrapped up the victory for Flamengo, leaving Chelsea with work to do going into their final group game against ES Tunis.
However, results elsewhere in Group D mean that a draw against the Tunisian side would be enough to see the Blues progress to the round of 16.
Nicolas Jackson posted this apology on Instagram after his mindless red card
Nicolas Jackson was sent off on Friday as Chelsea lost 3-1 to Flamengo at the Club World Cup
Jackson was shown a straight red card for an ugly foul on Flamengo star Ayrton Lucas (left)
This was Jackson’s second red card in 40 days, following a dismissal at Newcastle on May 11
Jackson took to Instagram after the match to issue a grovelling apology.
‘I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down,’ he wrote.
‘Another red card and honestly, I’m so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation.
‘I still don’t fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn’t intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way. No excuses. I take full responsibility.
‘I’ll reflect, I’ll grow, and I’ll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.’
Chelsea team-mate Marc Cucurella, speaking after the game, described the foul as ‘a bit of bad luck’ — but admitted Jackson needs to show more maturity.
‘He tried to put his foot in to kick the ball but he kicked the player’s leg. That’s it. We now miss him for the next game,’ said the Spaniard.
‘He is a young player with a lot of quality and maybe he needs to improve this.’
Jackson looked dejected after being sent off and he later took to Instagram to apologise to fans
The Senegal international also wrote: ‘Another red card and honestly, I’m so angry at myself’
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella said of team-mate Jackson: ‘We now miss him for the next game. He is a young player with a lot of quality and maybe he needs to improve this’
Cucurella also revealed Jackson stood up in the dressing room to apologise to the group, and insisted the forward remains a ‘very important player’ for Chelsea.
Former Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel was less forgiving. Speaking on DAZN, he labelled Jackson’s challenge a ‘stupid, stupid, stupid mistake’.
‘I don’t know what’s going through his head. You come into the game, you’re 2-1 down, your team needs you, and you do that,’ said Mikel.
‘He did it in the important Premier League game against Newcastle, when we needed to win to qualify for the Champions League places, and he’s done it again.
‘You can’t keep making mistakes.’
Chelsea boss Maresca refused to be drawn on the incident, saying simply: ‘It was a red card, so nothing to say.’
Jackson will now be suspended for next week’s decisive clash with Tunis. His absence opens the door for Liam Delap — a £32million summer signing from Ipswich Town — to lead the line again.
Delap started against Flamengo but was replaced by Jackson midway through the second half.
