Chelsea's Jackson apologises for red card at Club World Cup

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Conference League - Final - Real Betis v Chelsea - Wroclaw Stadium, Wroclaw, Poland - May 28, 2025 Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson in action REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel/File Photo

UPDATED Jun 21, 2025, 05:52 PM

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PHILADELPHIA - Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has apologised to his team mates and fans for his red card in the team's 3-1 loss to Flamengo at the Club World Cup on Friday.

Jackson had been on the pitch for only four minutes in the second half when he was shown a straight red for a nasty studs-up challenge on Ayrton Lucas, his second red card in four matches.

"I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down," Jackson, who turned 24 on Friday, wrote on Instagram.

"Another red card... and honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work very 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."

Jackson will serve a minimum one-game suspension. Chelsea next face Esperance Sportive de Tunis on Wednesday.

Jackson was sent off against Newcastle in a Premier League game last month for a similar challenge.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said: "It's a little bit of a bad moment for Nico in this kind of things. Unfortunately now he will be out for a while, the time that we are here."

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella said that Jackson had apologised to his team mates after the game.

"He's very sad," Cucurella said. "He's a young player with a lot of quality but maybe needs to improve a little bit in these things." REUTERS

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