The FA have made their decision over a potential retrospective ban for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson after footage appeared to show the striker ‘slapping’ an opponent.
Chelsea failed to capitalise on their positive start to the new Premier League season as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest putting them fourth heading into the international break.
Chris Wood opened the scoring for the visitors in West London before Noni Madueke equalised before the hour mark.
James Ward-Prowse also saw red for Forest after he was shown his second yellow card of the game in the 78th minute.
The most eventful moment of the match came when Forest’s Nico Williams allegedly pushed Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella into Maresca causing a touchline brawl between the two sides.
Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana were the six Chelsea players to have been booked during the fiesty encounter.
Cucurella and Fofana‘s bookings mean they will miss Chelsea’s next outing against Liverpool as they picked up their fifth booking in just the seventh game of the season.
Jackson, however, avoided punishment despite footage from the stands showing the Chelsea striker appearing to slap Forest player Morato, who was a late substitute for former Blues youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Since the match, the footage has been reviewed but the FA have chosen against a ban for the Chelsea striker.
Jackson- Getty
Both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been charged by the FA with failing to control their players but there will be no retrospective action for Jackson making him available for their trip to Anfield.
Jackson has become a vital cog in Chelsea’s system under Maresca, after growing into the role last campaign where he scored 14 goals.
The Senegalese forward has already grabbed four Premier League goals this season, and has been prefered to Christopher Nkunku.
Featured Image Credit: Getty