FIFA Club World Cup: Blow for Chelsea as Nicolas Jackson gets 2-match ban

Nicolas Jackson has been handed a two-match suspension for his red card during Chelsea’s 3-1 loss to Flamengo at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Jackson was sent off just four minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute for a reckless studs-up challenge on Flamengo defender Ayrton Lucas. It was the Senegalese forward’s second red card in his last four appearances across all competitions.

The 24-year-old initially received an automatic one-match ban, ruling him out of Chelsea’s final group-stage clash against African champions Esperance Sportive de Tunis in Philadelphia.

However, FIFA’s disciplinary committee reviewed the incident and deemed it serious foul play, extending the suspension to two matches. As a result, Jackson will also miss Chelsea’s round-of-16 tie, should Enzo Maresca’s side progress from the group.

The committee’s ruling is final and cannot be appealed.

Jackson’s latest dismissal means he is now suspended in two competitions, the Premier League and the Club World Cup, after accumulating eight yellow cards and two reds this season. The former Villarreal forward has racked up a total of 10 bookings in what has been a turbulent campaign.

Following the match, Jackson issued a public apology on social media and also apologised to his teammates in the dressing room, according to Marc Cucurella and Maresca.