Nicolas Jackson: Didier Drogba’s message of support to Chelsea striker after racial abuse

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has sent a message showing support for Nicolas Jackson after the Blues striker was abused online following Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final loss against Manchester City. 

The 22-year-old failed to convert several presentable chances at Wembley Stadium before Bernardo Silva netted in the game’s closing minutes to continue Chelsea’s awful results at the Home of Football in recent years. 

Those misses came after last Monday’s embarrassing penalty incident against Everton at Stamford Bridge, in which the former Villarreal striker jostled with Noni Madueke for a spot-kick before Conor Gallagher intervened and handed the ball to Cole Palmer. 

Jackson was vilified on social media after the game, and his club released a statement denouncing the racist attacks on the young striker. 

“Chelsea Football Club is disgusted by the racial abuse directed towards Nicolas Jackson via social media following Saturday evening’s game,” read a club statement via The Athletic. “There is no place in society for any form of discrimination, and we operate a zero-tolerance approach to any incident of this nature.  

“The club will support any criminal prosecutions and take the strongest possible action, including bans, against any individual who is found to be a season ticket holder or member.”

Subsequently, Drogba has posted a message of encouragement for the player, who has netted 13 times in his debut season in England. 

“Keep your head High UP and never stop working hard; it will pay off,” read the Chelsea legend’s post on X. 

Jackson is expected to start for Mauricio Pochettino’s men in Tuesday’s clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, keen to improve their prospects for European participation next season and scupper their hosts’ Premier League aspirations. 

Chelsea sit ninth in the table before Tuesday night’s game in North London.