Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been handed a one-match touchline ban and fined £8,000 by the Football Association following his dramatic dismissal during the Premier League win over Liverpool earlier this month.
The Italian was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor in stoppage time after leaving his technical area to celebrate Estevao Willian’s 95th-minute winner. The goal sealed a crucial 2-1 victory for Chelsea over the reigning champions at Stamford Bridge, sparking wild scenes of celebration among players, staff, and supporters alike.
According to the FA, Maresca was charged with “acting in an improper manner and/or using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour” during the aftermath of the goal, which led to his red card around the 96th minute.
In a statement on Wednesday, the FA confirmed that Maresca admitted the charge and accepted the standard punishment. “The manager acted in an improper manner which led to his dismissal,” the governing body said. “He has been suspended from the touchline for one match and fined £8,000.”
Absent at Nottingham Forest
The ban means Maresca will be absent from the Chelsea dugout when his team visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday to face Ange Postecoglou’s side at the City Ground. Assistant coach Willy Caballero is expected to take charge of the team for that match.
Caballero, who played under Maresca during his time as a goalkeeping coach at Manchester City, has been part of the Italian’s backroom staff since his arrival at Chelsea in June 2024. The Argentine will now step up to lead the Blues from the touchline as they aim to maintain their push for a top-four finish.
This is the second time Maresca has been handed a touchline ban since becoming a Premier League manager. He served a one-match suspension in April 2025 after picking up his third yellow card of the season while celebrating Pedro Neto’s late winner at Fulham.
Emotions Run High
Maresca’s animated celebrations against Liverpool highlighted his passionate approach to management, but also underlined the fine line between emotional expression and disciplinary breaches under the FA’s strict conduct rules.
The 45-year-old’s dismissal came moments after Chelsea completed one of their most dramatic victories of the season, with 17-year-old Brazilian prodigy Estevao Willian scoring deep into stoppage time. The teenager’s goal sent Stamford Bridge into raptures and marked a significant moment in Chelsea’s improving campaign under Maresca.
Speaking after the match, Maresca admitted he had overstepped but defended his passion. “I probably got carried away in the moment,” he said. “It was a huge goal and an emotional win for us. I always tell the players to play with emotion, and sometimes that extends to me too.”
While the manager’s exuberance earned him a second yellow card of the evening — his first coming earlier for dissent — his players have since rallied around him, describing his energy and passion as key to the team’s morale.
Chelsea’s Momentum Building
Maresca’s appointment last year marked the beginning of a new chapter for Chelsea following a turbulent period under multiple managers. The former Leicester City boss has brought a tactical identity and calm to the club, emphasising structure, ball retention, and attacking creativity.
Under his guidance, Chelsea have begun to show signs of progress, climbing steadily in the Premier League standings and producing several standout performances. The victory over Liverpool was seen as a statement of intent, demonstrating the young squad’s resilience and belief in Maresca’s methods.
Despite his absence this weekend, Maresca is expected to maintain close communication with his staff and players. The suspension prevents him from being in the technical area or dressing room on matchday, but he can still work with the team in training and strategy sessions during the week.
As Chelsea prepare to face Nottingham Forest, Caballero will take temporary command, with Maresca watching from the stands. The Italian will return to the touchline the following week, hoping his side can build on their momentum and keep their charge toward European qualification on track.
For Maresca, the punishment serves as a reminder of the boundaries that even the most passionate managers must observe — but it also reinforces his growing bond with a young Chelsea side that mirrors his intensity and ambition.
