Redknapp calls for Premier League rule change after incident between Nicolas Jackson and Forest

Jamie Redknapp has urged the Premier League to consider changing the rules next season after Nicolas Jackson was denied a penalty in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Jackson scored the winning goal for the Blues at the City Ground as Mauricio Pochettino’s side overturned a 2-1 deficit to stay in the race for European qualification for next season.

Mykhaylo Mudryk gave Chelsea an early lead by fending off a brilliant through ball from Cole Palmer, but Forest hit back with a header from Willy Boly and a fine shot from Callum Hudson-Odoi curled into the far corner.

But Pochettino’s second-half substitutions changed the game as Raheem Sterling equalized before Reece James’ pinpoint cross found Jackson at the far post.

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Jackson denied the penalty

However, the Senegalese striker was denied a penalty in the first half as ex-Chelsea defender Ola Aina fought with the striker as a corner was shot into the box, forcing Jackson to the ground.

Referee Tony Harrington rejected the penalty appeals and VAR Michael Salisbury saw insufficient reason to overturn the on-field decision.

Redknapp believes defenders are being given too much of an advantage in such circumstances, with Arsenal’s Ben White also making headlines recently for his set-piece antics.

“I don’t know why he’s getting involved in pushing and pulling,” Redknapp said as he reviewed the incident between Aina and Jackson. “Just leave him alone and try to defend yourself. As soon as you grab him like that and pull him to the ground, you risk giving away a penalty.

“The rules are almost in favor of the defenders at the moment. I think something has to change next year. We see it too often when players pull and block people. I’m not a big fan of it.”

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“Impede an opponent’s progress”

Law 12 of the FA Laws of the Game states that a foul should be awarded if the defender obstructs the attacker:

“Impeding an opponent’s progress means moving into the opponent’s path to impede, block, slow, or force a change of direction when the ball is not within a player’s playing range.”