- Jackson was sent off as Chelsea lost 3-1 to Brazilian side Flamengo last week
- It was the striker’s second red card in 40 days following one at Newcastle in May
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FIFA have slapped Nicolas Jackson with a two-game ban for the straight red card he received in Chelsea’s Club World Cup loss to Flamengo on Friday.
Rules say the standard punishment for a red at this tournament in the United States is a one-match suspension. However, FIFA reserve the right to increase it if they see fit.
Jackson will miss Chelsea’s final group game with ES Tunis in Philadelphia on Tuesday, and then their last-16 tie with Bayern Munich or Benfica in Charlotte, should Enzo Maresca’s side get there.
FIFA gave Rico Lewis three games for his dismissal in Manchester City’s group game with Al Ain, but they believed Jackson’s studs-up challenge was worthy of two by comparison.
The decision is final and cannot be appealed, say competition organisers.
Jackson apologised publicly and privately afterwards, having been dismissed only four minutes after coming on as a substitute. It was Ayrton Lucas who he fouled.
His red card gives Liam Delap the chance to show why he deserves to lead the line in the Premier League. Chelsea’s new £30million signing from Ipswich Town spoke with reporters on Jackson’s red, saying: ‘You have to be aggressive, on the front foot all the time.
‘I was right in front of it when it happened. It was so unlucky. He has obviously not meant to do it; these things happen in football.’
Jackson has made an unfortunate habit of making mistakes, having also been red carded away at Newcastle towards the end of the last Premier League season. Thankfully for him, his Chelsea team-mates went on to secure Champions League football without him.
