CHELSEA and Nottingham Forest have been charged over the mass bust-up which overshadowed the climax to their feisty draw.
But Blues‘ striker Nicolas Jackson is off the hook after he appeared to slap defender Morato during the brawl.
Both clubs have been charged over Sunday’s ugly flare-up[/caption]
Striker Jackson had been substituted already but joined in the 88th minute fracas as tempers boiled over with each team searching for a late winner.
The incident was sparked by Neco Williams shoving Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella as they tussled for the ball near the touchline – with the Spaniard sent clattering into Blues boss Enzo Maresca.
It prompted a huge shoving match involving the coaches backroom staff of both clubs.
Jackson, wearing a training coat, is then spotted joining in from the bench and appears to lash out with his arm in the direction of Morato.
VAR Jarred Gillett saw the flashpoint but did not suggest to take the matter further and the FA are following suit after reading match referee Chris Kavanagh’s report.
An FA Statement read: “Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been charged after the mass confrontation at their Premier League fixture on Sunday, 6 October.
“It’s alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 88th minute. Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have until Thursday, 10 October, to provide their responses.”
Forest’s Williams and Chelsea defender Levi Colwill were booked for their part in the melee.
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Chelsea had six or more players booked for the second time this season and will cop an additional £50K fine.
They will also be without Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for the next match – a trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool – after the pair reached five yellow cards for the season so far.
But Maresca insists he has no problems wit his side’s disciplinary record.
He said: “I like the team, the way they’re fighting. I like the way they are becoming a team. I don’t see any problems with that.
“Do I prefer it when something like that happens? I like the team spirit. I don’t see any problem.”
“I was in my area, so I was where I had to be.
“In terms of emotion, the team is fighting together. Someone tried to kick me, I fell down.
“But if you ask me about the team spirit, the way they are fighting together, I’m very happy.”
