PHILADELPHIA — Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson apologised to his teammates and the membership’s followers after choosing up his second purple card in 4 matches because the Blues lost 3-1 to Flamengo on the Membership World Cup.
Pedro Neto gave Maresca’s facet a Thirteenth-minute lead in Philadelphia however six second-half minutes modified the sport as Bruno Henrique equalised earlier than Danilo put the Brazilian facet in entrance.
Jackson, on moments earlier as an alternative, then lunged in on Ayrton Lucas to earn a straight purple card earlier than Wallace Yan added a late third.
“I wish to make an apology. To the membership, the employees, my teammates, and all of the followers watching, I allow you to down,” Jackson wrote on Instagram.
“One other purple card … and truthfully, I am so indignant at myself. I work very onerous day by day to assist the workforce to not put us in this type of state of affairs. I nonetheless do not absolutely perceive the way it occurred. However one factor is obvious: it wasn’t intentional. Only a soccer second that went the mistaken manner.
“No excuses. I take full duty. I will mirror, I will develop, and I will come again stronger for the badge and for everybody who believes in me. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.”
Flamengo are actually high of Group D and in pole place to safe first place whereas Chelsea face Esperance Sportive de Tunis on Wednesday with out Jackson, who will serve a minimal one-game suspension.
He could possibly be banned for longer if FIFA select to assessment the incident.
Jackson was additionally despatched off in opposition to Newcastle final month for a equally reckless problem and Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca stated: “It occurred in opposition to Newcastle and it occurred at present. In all probability at present I’m not 100% certain it is a purple card in comparison with the Newcastle one. So it is slightly little bit of a foul second for Nico in this type of issues. Sadly now he might be out for some time, the time that we’re right here.
Maresca rejected the suggestion that Jackson’s disciplinary points had been linked to the long-trailed arrival of fellow striker Liam Delap — a £30 million summer time signing from Ipswich City — which gives contemporary competitors for his place.
“The purple card had nothing to do with Nico’s future,” stated Maresca. “He had the primary one in opposition to Newcastle when Liam was not even right here and one other one at present. Nico is aware of very properly that in each conditions it was not one thing good for the workforce.
“Six minutes modified the sport. Within the second half, we began higher in comparison with the primary half. However we conceded two objectives in two minutes after which the purple card. It modified the dynamic. They deserved to win.”
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella warned Jackson he has to deal with his behaviour.
“He is very unhappy,” stated Cucurella. “He tried to win the ball, had the dangerous luck that he kicked his leg and that is it. He is a younger participant with a number of high quality however possibly wants to enhance slightly bit in this stuff.
“However he has to study. After the supervisor spoke, he stated sorry, he did not do it on function. He is an important participant for us, we miss him the subsequent sport however that is soccer.”