FA release statement on Nicolas Jackson after he appeared to try and slap rival

Nicolas Jackson will avoid retrospective punishment from the FA for shoving Morato in the face on Sunday, but Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been charged for their mass melee in Sunday’s fiery draw.

Jackson’s reaction after he ran from the substitutes’ bench was studied by VAR Jarred Gillett, who decided it did not constitute violent conduct, and noted in referee Chris Kavanagh’s report. The authorities have decided against taking any further action as a result.

Footage of the incident at Stamford Bridge was shared on social media immediately afterwards as it showed Jackson, who had already been substituted, appearing to ‘slap’ Morato while both sets of players engaged in a shoving match. That was instigated when Neco Williams pushed Marc Cucurella into Enzo Maresca, forcing the Chelsea head coach to tumble over.

The FA are now awaiting the responses of Chelsea and Forest after charging them with failing to control their players during what they described as a ‘mass confrontation’.

In a statement, the FA said: ‘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.’

Chelsea were fined £50,000 for picking up at least six yellow cards in the 1-1 draw with Forest, double the £25,000 they paid as punishment for the same offence against Bournemouth last month.

The commission ruled referee Chris Kavanagh made an "obvious" error in giving the skipper a straight red card for fouling Spurs' James Maddison.

Fernandes' three-game ban was overturned following the commission's ruling, meaning he lined up in Sunday's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.

The Mail say the Red Devils put forward two videos to support their case against the midfielder's dismissal at Old Trafford on September 29.

One was from Sky's "Ref Watch" show, where one-time Premier League whistler Dermot Gallagher discussed the incident with former Lionesses' winger Sue Smith and ex-England striker Dean Ashton.

Gallagher suggested Kavanagh saw an "optical illusion" of the exchange between Fernandes and Maddison because of his viewing angle.

The 67-year-old also described the Portuguese star's contact on the England playmaker as a "glancing blow".

Gallagher concluded that a yellow card would have been fairer.

United's second video clip showed the two players tangling in real time, as well as via a slow-motion replay.

However, the Mail say the independent commission chose NOT to consider opinions from "Ref Watch" when coming to a 2:1 split decision in favour of Fernandes.