“Stupid, Stupid, Stupid”: Mikel Obi Explodes Over Chelsea Star Jackson’s Red Card

 

Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi stunned fans and fellow pundits alike during a live broadcast as he launched into a fiery rant over Nicolas Jackson’s red card in Chelsea’s 3-1 loss to Flamengo at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Mikel, who was serving as a pundit for sports broadcaster DAZN, blasted Jackson’s rash challenge, which left Chelsea down to 10 men and ultimately sealed their defeat in a game they initially led.

“He Let the Team Down” – Mikel’s Rant Shocks Viewers

The tension erupted in the 68th minute when Jackson, just minutes after coming on as a substitute, lunged into a reckless tackle on Flamengo’s Ayrton Lucas.

“It was unbelievable. Stupid, stupid, stupid mistake,” Mikel said, shaking his head in disbelief.
“You’re 2–1 down, the team needs you… and then you get sent off. What was he thinking?”

His emotional outburst, which included strong language, caught viewers off guard — especially given Mikel’s calm persona during his playing days.

TV Presenter Issues On-Air Apology After Mikel’s Outburst

As the heat in the studio escalated, DAZN host Kelly Somers quickly stepped in to manage the moment, saying:

“Lots of emotion in the studio — apologies for any language used there.”

Mikel’s comments also touched on Jackson’s previous disciplinary issues, referencing an earlier red card during a critical Premier League game against Newcastle. He also implied that Jackson may be struggling to handle competition from new signing Liam Delap.

⚠️ To see what Mikel said that had producers scrambling behind the scenes, click here for the full uncensored moment — viewer discretion advised.

Jackson Issues Public Apology After Backlash

Following intense backlash from fans and football pundits, Jackson took to social media to apologise:

“I take full responsibility for my actions. I let the team down, and I’ll learn from it,” the Senegalese forward wrote.

Despite the controversy, Jackson remains a central figure in Chelsea’s rebuilding project. But Mikel was clear: moments like this are unacceptable for players at top clubs chasing silverware.

Pressure Mounts at Chelsea

Chelsea’s defeat to Flamengo came in the FIFA Club World Cup group stage, where they are drawn alongside Esperance of Tunisia and Los Angeles FC.

With growing pressure on young players like Jackson and increasing expectations on manager Enzo Maresca, discipline and mental focus will be non-negotiable going forward.

Mikel Clarifies Stance – It Wasn’t Personal

Following the backlash, Mikel Obi later clarified on his podcast that his criticism was not meant to “disrespect” Jackson, but to urge him to grow into a more mature and reliable professional.

“He has the talent. But talent without discipline doesn’t win titles,” Mikel added.