Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been given a one-match touchline ban and fined £8,000 following his misconduct during the Blues’ dramatic 2–1 win over Liverpool earlier this month.
The Football Association confirmed the decision on Wednesday, stating that Maresca admitted to the charge.
The incident took place during the thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge on October 4, when Chelsea clinched victory in the fifth minute of stoppage time through teenager Estevao Willian.
Overcome with emotion, Maresca sprinted down the touchline to celebrate the winning goal with his players, an act that earned him a second yellow card and subsequent dismissal by referee Anthony Taylor.
Earlier in the match, the Italian coach had received his first booking for angrily protesting a penalty decision that went Liverpool’s way.
Speaking later to Italian media, Maresca described his celebration as “an instinctive reaction,” adding with a smile that it had been “worth it even if he got sent off.”
The win proved vital for Chelsea, who had suffered back-to-back defeats before the clash. Maresca’s ban means he will miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea currently sit seventh in the standings with 11 points, five adrift of league leaders Arsenal as they look to regain momentum under their fiery new boss.