Nicolas Jackson handed punishment verdict for slap vs Nottingham Forest as Chelsea fined

Chelsea have tallied the most Premier League yellow cards so far this season with Nicolas Jackson potentially facing a ban for violent conduct

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey says Nicolas Jackson was “very lucky” not to have been sent off for an apparent slap of Nottingham Forest defender Morato in Chelsea ’s 1-1 draw on Sunday.

The striker, who had played 81 minutes before being taken off, appeared to swipe at the face of Morato during a melee between both sets of benches, sparked by Neco Williams' push on Marc Cucurella. The incident was reviewed by the VAR, who judged that the act did not meet the threshold for violent conduct.

However, Jackson could face retrospective action from the Football Association and might potentially face a ban. The usual suspension for players who are sent off for violent conduct is three domestic matches.

If this comes to fruition, Jackson would miss the match with Liverpool and the Premier League and League Cup double-header against Newcastle United after the international break. Former top-flight referee Halsey says Jackson was fortunate not to be dismissed amid the fracas.

Speaking to The Sun, he said: “You could argue he was very lucky. VAR looked at the incident and deemed that there was no act of violent conduct. So he was very fortunate. He could have seen red and been sent off.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to be fined for accumulating six yellow cards during the draw with Forest. Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana will miss the visit to Liverpool having tallied five yellow cards this season.

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They are the first players to reach the suspension threshold this season and top the individual yellow cards Premier League chart as a result. Chelsea currently have the worst discipline record in the league when it comes to yellow cards, having amassed 27 in just seven matches.

Head coach Enzo Maresca has denied there is a thread of ill-discipline running through his side. "It’s something we need to improve but overall, I like the team the way they are fighting,” be said.

“I like the way they are becoming a team in these kinds of things. I don’t see any problems about that. For sure, there are things that we can control and do better, for sure no doubt, and probably this is one of the things.

"But if you ask me about the team spirit, the way they are fighting together, the way they are doing things together, I’m very happy."