Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has issued a public apology following his red card in the team’s 3-1 defeat to Flamengo in the FIFA Club World Cup on Friday.
The Senegalese forward was on the pitch for only four minutes in the second half before receiving a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Flamengo’s Ayrton Lucas.
The incident marks Jackson’s second sending-off in just four games, having also seen red against Newcastle in the Premier League last month.
Taking to Instagram after the match, Jackson expressed remorse for his actions on a day that also marked his 24th birthday.
“I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down,” he wrote.
“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.”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca addressed the situation after the game, acknowledging Jackson’s struggles with discipline.
“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.”
Jackson will serve at least a one-game suspension and will miss Chelsea’s upcoming fixture against Esperance Tunis on Wednesday.
Defender Marc Cucurella also commented on the incident, noting the striker’s visible disappointment.
“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.”
The loss to Flamengo ended Chelsea’s hopes of lifting the Club World Cup trophy, with Flamengo advancing after a composed second-half performance against the 10-man Blues.
