Following Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup on April 20, 2024, Senegalese striker Nicholas Jackson faced intense criticism from some Chelsea fans, including racist abuse on social media.
However, legendary Ivorian footballer Didier Drogba, a Chelsea icon, publicly expressed support for Jackson on X (formerly Twitter) on April 22, 2024.
Drogba encouraged Jackson to “keep his head high and never stop working hard” as it will pay off.
Chelsea Football Club condemned the racist attacks on Jackson, stating that they operate a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination and will support criminal prosecutions and take strong action against any individuals found to be season ticket holders or members.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino also defended Jackson, urging fans to be realistic with their expectations. He praised Jackson’s efforts, saying he is doing an “amazing job” and needs time to improve.
