The Football Association (FA) has charged Chelsea and Nottingham Forest with failing to control their players following a mass confrontation during their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson will not face any disciplinary action for his involvement in the brawl. The 23-year-old was part of an altercation in the 1-1 draw, during which he appeared to thrust his hand into the face of Forest defender Morato amid the melee.
The heated melee was sparked in the 88th minute when Levi Colwill squared up to Neco Williams after the Welshman shoved Marc Cucurella into the home technical area, sending Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca tumbling to the ground.
A statement from the FA said “both clubs failed to ensure their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 88th minute”.
Chelsea and Forest have until Thursday to provide their responses.
Following the result, Maresca said: “These things can happen. In terms of emotion, the team is fighting altogether and I don’t think some of them lose their heads. They were, all of them, in the game. I was happy with that.”
Asked specifically about Jackson, Maresca added: “In that moment, I think not only Nicolas was inside the pitch. If you look, more players from the bench were inside the pitch.
“If you ask me if I prefer when something like that happens, players from outside involved or not, I like the spirit of the team. I like the spirit of our team. I don’t see any problem.”
(MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
