Chelsea forward, Nicolas Jackson, has issued a heartfelt apology to the club, his teammates, and supporters after being sent off during their 3-1 loss to Flamengo in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Jackson, who started the match on the bench, was introduced in the 63rd minute for Liam Delap as Chelsea trailed 2-1.
His entry was expected to inject urgency into the Blues’ attack, but the Ivorian ended up worsening the situation.
Pedro Neto had earlier fired Chelsea into the lead at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. But Flamengo responded strongly in the second half, turning the tide with goals from Bruno Henrique and Danilo.
Jackson’s night quickly unraveled when he received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle, ruling him out of Chelsea’s final group game through suspension.
It’s not the first time Jackson has been under scrutiny for discipline. He previously came under fire for a costly red card against Newcastle United during a pivotal Premier League fixture last season, which nearly impacted Chelsea’s Champions League hopes.
Following the latest incident, Jackson addressed the situation on social media, as shared by football journalist Fabrizio Romano, offering an unreserved 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 had started their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC and were aiming to cement their lead in Group D.
However, Flamengo’s second consecutive victory puts them in control of the group with six points, while Chelsea sit second with three.
Enzo Maresca’s side now face a must-win clash against Esperance of Tunisia in their final group game to advance to the round of 16.
