SUSPENDED! Enzo Maresca hit with touchline ban after wild Chelsea celebration at Fulham
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will be absent from the touchline for the Blues’ next Premier League fixture after receiving a one-match suspension. The ban follows his exuberant celebrations during Chelsea’s thrilling 2-1 comeback win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
'Enzo Maresca.'
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The west London derby delivered late drama, with Chelsea turning the game on its head in the final moments. Trailing with under ten minutes remaining, the Blues levelled through Tyrique George before Pedro Neto netted a 93rd-minute winner, sparking wild scenes among the Chelsea contingent.
Maresca, unable to contain his emotions, left the technical area and joined in the celebrations that spilled onto the pitch. The passionate reaction earned him a yellow card from referee Anthony Taylor—his third of the season—triggering an automatic one-match suspension under Premier League rules.
“It was a beautiful moment,” Maresca explained post-match. “We fought hard, and the players deserved that celebration with the fans. I couldn’t help myself. That’s why I left the pitch—and when we scored the second, I celebrated again. That’s why the referee booked me.”
The result lifted Chelsea to fifth in the Premier League table, keeping them firmly in the race for a coveted Champions League spot. However, Maresca’s suspension means he’ll be relegated to the stands for Saturday’s match against Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Assistant coach Willy Caballero will assume technical area duties in Maresca’s absence. The ban is the result of prior cautions received against Bournemouth and Newcastle earlier in the campaign.
While Chelsea fans will miss their animated manager on the sideline, the hope is that Maresca’s passion will continue to fuel the Blues’ momentum from afar.
