Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been handed a one-match touchline ban and fined £8,000 following his red card in the dramatic 2–1 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian was dismissed by referee Anthony Taylor after charging down the touchline to celebrate Estevao Willian’s 96th-minute winner, leaping into his players’ embrace in jubilant scenes reminiscent of José Mourinho’s famous celebrations.
According to the Football Association, Maresca was charged with misconduct after “acting in an improper manner and/or using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour” during the closing moments of the match.
The FA confirmed: “Enzo Maresca has been given a one-match touchline ban and £8,000 fine for misconduct during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Liverpool on Saturday, 4 October… Enzo Maresca subsequently admitted the charge and accepted the standard penalty.”
Speaking later at the Trento Sports Festival, the former Leicester City boss admitted his emotions got the better of him: “It was a huge emotion against Liverpool. It was the first time we won at home in the last minute. Football is passion and instinct — I probably didn’t have time to think. It was an instinctive reaction, but I think it was worth it.”
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Maresca will serve his suspension when Chelsea travel to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday. He will be seated in the directors’ box but will still be allowed to enter the dressing room to speak to his players before, during, and after the match.
The victory over Liverpool lifted Chelsea to seventh in the Premier League table, continuing Maresca’s strong start after guiding the Blues to a Champions League qualification last season, along with Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs. Chelsea now aim to extend their momentum against a Forest side still searching for their first win under Ange Postecoglou.