Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been given a one-game touchline ban after receiving a red card against Liverpool. After enthusiastically celebrating Estevao Willian’s last-minute winner against the Reds, he received his orders to march and sprinted down the touchline to join jubilant players in the midst of the chaos at Stamford Bridge. The FA confirmed that Maresca had accepted the suspension. He was given a one-match suspension and a hefty fine of £8,000.
According to the FA, he was “alleged to have behaved inappropriately during the match and/or to have used abusive and derogatory words and actions, which led to his dismissal at around the 96th minute.” Chelsea are scheduled to face crisis-hit Nottingham Forest at lunchtime on Saturday, with assistant coach Willy Caballero stepping in to take charge, with Maresca expected to watch from the stands.
This is not the first time Maresca has been suspended for touchline action. Last season, he also received one yellow card while accumulating three.
His final warning came after a late winner as he celebrated Pedro Neto’s 93rd-minute goal that sealed the West London derby at Fulham last Easter.
Maresca is expected to appear in the director’s box at the City Ground this weekend. However, he will not be banned from Chelsea’s dressing room, meaning he will still have the opportunity to speak to players before the game, at half-time and at the end of the game.
He will also have the ability to communicate with the coaching staff via telephone and electronic devices.
In a recent interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Maresca, who led the Blues to two trophies last season – the Conference League and the Club World Cup, expressed his enthusiasm for his current role.
He said: “Chelsea is a legendary and huge club. The strategy now is to push forward with long-term contracts and trust in young players. The business of football is all about results. At the moment the results are good and we are all very happy.”
