Club football is back as Liverpool focus on fighting back to the top after slipping to second place just two days before the start of the October international break.
The Reds faced a loss against Chelsea, as Enzo Maresca’s men ensured that Arne Slot would go into the break with multiple stressors.
Arsenal now sit top of the English Premier League table with 16 points to their name in seven matches. The Blues, despite their win against Slot’s men, stand seventh as it was only their third win in the league this season.
Brazilian teenage sensation Estevao flipped the tables at Stamford Bridge with a winner in injury time. Maresca earned his second yellow just after the winner and now faces heavy consequences from the Football Association.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca’s touchline ban
Enzo Maresca received two yellow cards against Liverpool (Credits: Imago Images)
Following a series of misconduct, the referees in the Chelsea vs Liverpool match weren’t lenient. Maresca’s actions were heavily scrutinised during the whole game as the Chelsea boss received two yellows within a span of 90 minutes.
The Italian’s first yellow came after he was forcefully speaking with the officials. The referee wrote it off as misconduct and warned the manager.
However, the gaffer didn’t comply, as later he went on to celebrate with his players after Estevao’s winner. Crossing the pitch and exuberantly leaving his technical zone meant the officials weren’t going to go easy on him again.
He received his second yellow, and now the FA has handed him a ban with a fine as the cherry on top. The Football Association released a statement regarding the details. Chelsea will miss their manager for the match against Nottingham Forest.
Nevertheless, it is only a one-game ban, but the worst part is the fine. He will have to pay £8,000 for his behaviour in the Liverpool game.
Quiz: Name the team Liverpool signed these players from in the 2010s
Maresca’s follow-up and the FA statement
Maresca agreed later that it was an impulsive decision. However, he still claimed that it was worth it, considering it was Chelsea’s first big win this season.
“Nice emotion. It’s the second season for me in this club, but we had never won at home at the last minute. The reaction that led to the expulsion was instinctive, but maybe it was worth it,” Enzo said at the Trento Sports festival.
The FA’s statement: “It was alleged that the manager acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour during the fixture, which led to his dismissal around the 96th minute. Enzo Maresca subsequently admitted the charge and accepted the standard penalty.”
