Presenter apologises for Jon Obi-Mikel’s language in Jackson rant

DAZN host Kelly Somers was forced to apologise for John Obi Mikel’s foul language after the Chelsea legend launched a scathing attack on Nicolas Jackson for the ‘stupid’ challenge which saw the Blues star sent off in the 3-1 defeat by Flamengo in the Club World Cup. 

Jackson’s sending off topped six minutes of madness for Chelsea who went from leading their Brazilian opponents 1-0 after 61 minutes to finding themselves 2-1 down – and with only 10 men – after 67 minutes.

Jackson was dispossessed in the middle of the pitch and, in his over-eagerness to win the ball back, the Senegal forward stamped down on Ayrton Lucas. Referee Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros had no option but to produce a red card.

Just a month ago, Jackson’s Premier League season ended prematurely when he was sent off for a similar challenge against Newcastle on May 11 and handed a three-match ban.  

And Obi Mikel, who was working as a pundit for DAZN did not hold back when he was asked about the incident.

‘(It was) Unbelievable. Stupid, stupid, stupid mistake,’ said Obi Mikel won two Premier League titles and the Champions League with Chelsea.

‘I don’t know what was going through his head. You come into the game, you are 2-1 down at that point. Your team needs you. And he does that. 

‘He did it in a league game at Newcastle. Again, a very important game which we needed to win to qualify for the Champions League. He did that, he got a red card. And now he’s done this. You can’t keep making mistakes.’

But it was when host Somers suggested that Jackson’s frustration may have boiled over from frustration at losing his place to Liam Delap that Obi Mikel really lost his cool. 

‘I don’t care what his frustration is,’ Obi Mikel reacted angrily.

‘It’s a football club. It’s a massive football club and it’s about competition. If you’re p***ed off that Delap’s coming to the football club and he’s going to be the competition with you… you have to embrace it if you are a big player. 

‘Because the only way you are going to win trophies if is if you are compete against each other.’

It was at this point that Somers was forced to say sorry to viewers for her guest’s language. 

‘Lots of emotion in the studio, so apologies for any language used there,’ she said, holding out both hands in a calming gesture torwards Obi Mikel.

After the match, Jackson took to social media to apologise for his actions. Writing on Instagram, he said: ‘I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team-mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. 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.’

A red card was the worst possible birthday present for the 24-year-old who is competing with Delap, the man he replaced on the pitch, as Chelsea’s first-choice striker. 

It had all started so well for Enzo Maresca’s side with a fine finish from Pedro Neto giving them a 1-0 lead going into the bench.

But, first, Bruno Henrique levelled for Flamengo with a simple 62nd-minute finish before Danilo put the Brazilian side ahead three minutes later when he headed in from a corner.

Jackson gave his side an uphill task when he lost his head and reduced the Blues to ten men before Wallace Yan took advantage of some poor defending to make it 3-1 and inflict Chelsea’s first defeat of the competition.