Premier League issue 'serious foul play' statement over Newcastle United v Chelsea red card

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson was shown the first red card of his Blues career against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, being judged to have elbowed Magpies defender Sven Botman.

The visitors went 1-0 down on Tyneside after just two minutes when Sandro Tonali finished a Newcastle United move born from sloppy Chelsea defending and Enzo Maresca’s side were reduced to 10 men after just 35 minutes.

Jackson, who had been anonymous in the match to that point, challenged Botman for a long ball but clattered into his opposite number. The Newcastle United defender went to ground and referee John Brooks initially brandished a yellow card.

Premier League issue statement on Nicolas Jackson red card

There were furious cries around St James’ Park and an inevitable VAR check did follow. Brooks was eventually sent to the monitor and, as expected, overturned his decision and showed a red card - Jackson then taking a slow walk across the pitch and down the tunnel, making some futile appeals to the fourth official on his way.

The Premier League has now issued a statement explaining that VAR decision and labelled the tackle by Jackson as ‘serious foul play’. In a message shared by the Premier League Match Centre on social media platform X, it read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Jackson – and deemed that the challenge by Jackson on Botman was a serious foul play offence, therefore recommended an on-field review. The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.”

It’s the first time Jackson has been sent off for Chelsea but the striker has seen red four times in his career. The player picked up two straight red cards while playing for the Villarreal B side, as well as being sent off for two yellow cards. He also picked up two yellows in a match for the senior Villarreal side.

Ally McCoist criticises Chelsea star’s challenge

Reacting to the challenge against Botman, Scottish football legend Ally McCoist told TNT Sports: “Newcastle have looked unbelievably comfortable with their shape at the moment. Chelsea had to change something.

“That has thrown a spanner in the works. Where do Chelsea go now? I don't think Nicolas Jackson can have any complaints.”

Scotland and Aston Villa captain Rachel Corsie took a more sympathetic view, suggesting that Jackson did not intend any serious foul play. She told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It was dangerous from Jackson. He knows he is not going to win the ball and sometimes you think you are just going to go in and make the collision happen. One thing is I don't quite think he meant to make the contact on the jaw.”

Jackson has made 29 Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season, scoring 10 goals. The 23-year-old last netted against Everton in the 1-0 win at the end of April but that is his only league goal since December 15.

The striker did score against Newcastle United in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge earlier this season. Maresca’s side won that match 2-1.

In other news, 'The stadium' - Cole Palmer sends Newcastle United warning to Chelsea stars ahead of top five six-pointer.