English FA charges Chelsea and Nottingham Forest with players’ trouble

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been charged by the Football Association (FA) over their failures to restrain their players during a mass confrontation in their Premier League clash together at the Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

A statement from the FA on Tuesday noted: “Both clubs failed to ensure their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 88th minute.”

It was also confirmed that Chelsea’s Senegalese striker, Nicolas Jackson, will not face any punishment for his involvement in the melee. The former Villarreal striker was part of a fierce controversy during the 1-1 stalemate, in which he was seen thrusting his hand into the face of Forest defender Morato amid the confrontation.

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.

Following the entertaining match, Chelsea’s Italian manager Enzo Maresca noted that he was happy with the reaction of his players – a statement that revealed his indifference about the drama which happened during the game.

Chelsea have been fingered for failing to instill discipline in their players with Chelsea at the summit of the bookings table again having accrued 27 after just seven games into the season – this implies that the club could end up with 140 by the end of May.

In the previous season, The Blues broke a Premier League record for most yellow cards received in a single season when Malo Gusto received the club’s last booking in the 78th minute of their final game against Bournemouth, it took their tally to 105 (plus four reds),

Chelsea and Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest have until Thursday to provide their responses to the FA’s charge.