Chelsea might face a setback ahead of their upcoming clash with Newcastle this weekend at Stamford Bridge. Mauricio Pochettino’s side is set to host the Premier League fixture on Sunday afternoon, seeking crucial points before the international break.
Despite Chelsea’s positive momentum following an impressive draw against Mancity, there’s a possibility that Raheem Sterling might be absent. The 28-year-old, who has been a consistent starter in 10 English top-flight matches this season, appeared to toss an object back into the crowd during Chelsea’s intense draw last Saturday.
The incident unfolded shortly after Cole Palmer scored an equalizer for Chelsea from the penalty spot in the first half, prompted by Cristian Romero’s red card for a dangerously reckless tackle on Enzo Fernandez. Palmer’s celebratory gesture, putting his finger to his lips in front of Tottenham supporters, was followed by a collective celebration from his teammates. A video posted on Chelsea’s TikTok account captured an object being thrown from the Mancity stand, striking Palmer’s leg as the celebrations ensued.
Another moment in the video suggested Sterling bending down and seemingly returning the object back into the crowd. The Football Association (FA) is currently reviewing the incident before determining any potential actions, as per the Daily Mail.
Previous instances involving players and crowd interactions have led to disciplinary actions. For instance, Richarlison received a one-match ban from the FA for throwing a lit flare into the crowd after scoring for Everton against Chelsea in May 2022. Additionally, Didier Drogba faced a three-match suspension in 2008 for throwing a coin during Chelsea’s Carabao Cup defeat to Burnley.