A new camera perspective of the fight involving Nicolas Jackson surfaced after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, and former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has since warned Chelsea that the FA could step in.
When Noni Madueke cancelled out Chris Wood’s opening goal to give the Blues a point, tensions were high for a large portion of Sunday’s match at Stamford Bridge.
Marc Cucurella was sent hurtling into Enzo Maresca on the touchline at the end of the game after Neco Williams gave him a shove in the back.
The Chelsea forward Jackson got away with it all following a VAR check, but the incident led to a violent altercation between the two teams before referee Chris Kavanagh let play to resume.
Pictures have already surfaced, though, and they seem to show Jackson—who had been replaced earlier—hitting Forest’s Morato in the face.
Due to suspension, Wesley Fofana and Cucurella, both of the team’s defenders, will not be able to play for Chelsea when they visit Liverpool following the international break.
Jackson might still play at Anfield as things stand, but former official Gallagher thinks things could change if the FA gives the altercation another look.
When asked about Kavanagh’s choice to remain outside of the altercation when it started, Gallagher said to Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, “I think you’ve got two problems if you get in the middle of this.”
First of all, you run the chance of getting hit by lightning. The referee doesn’t want to put himself in that situation because he might strike the player unintentionally, but that won’t absolve him of responsibility. If a player strikes you, that player has serious issues.
Secondly, you can observe who has run from a distance since you have a more expansive vision. Who has entered the situation as the attacker and who as the mediator?
So, taking a step back has several benefits. When you witness such a scenario, you take action as best you can, as do your teammates and the VAR. Afterwards, the FA will undoubtedly step in if necessary.
The best camera view of Jackson’s slap was not available to the video assistant referee, according to Gallagher, and the striker might be punished retroactively.
This, in my opinion, is consistent with what I just mentioned. If there is anything more after your colleagues have cleaned up for you, the FA might pick it up later, he continued.
Yesterday, this particular camera angle wasn’t available. I am aware of this since I observed the event and the footage that VAR was using, and they most definitely lacked that perspective.
Given that this is a new viewpoint, it is possible that VAR hasn’t examined it because they were unable to see it. The FA has the last say about what to do.
Given the size disparity between Jackson and Morato, former Blackburn and Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock made light of the situation, saying Jackson was a “very brave lad” taking on the opponent.
It’s really challenging. Once more, why choose to do that? With everything going on, though, it’s just the heat of the moment, Warnock stated in reference to Jackson’s smack.
I will add this, though: Morato is a monster, so he’s a really brave boy. At almost 6 feet 4 inches, he has enormous shoulders.
Fair play to him; I’m thinking that he’s the last guy I would pick on in that melee. It’s courageous.
