Enzo Maresca says his £8,000 fine for celebrating Chelsea’s stoppage-time winner against Liverpool was well worth it.
Having been booked earlier in the game, Maresca received a second yellow card from referee Anthony Taylor following Estevao Willian’s dramatic 95th-minute goal at Stamford Bridge on October 4, after he sprinted down the touchline to join in the wild celebrations with his players.
It was later confirmed that the Italian will serve a one-match touchline ban after admitting a Football Association (FA) misconduct charge. He was fined £8,000 and must watch from the directors’ box rather than the dugout when Chelsea visit Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.
In Maresca’s absence, former Chelsea goalkeeper and current assistant head coach Willy Caballero will lead the team from the technical area.
Maresca has previously struggled to develop a relationship with the Chelsea fans, but his popularity appears to have grown since his celebrations against Liverpool.
“It was a nice moment,” he said. “Last season, I was banned for one game for the accumulation of yellow cards. Again, the last yellow card was against Fulham away, where we won a game in the last minute.
“So I think it's part of our job, the moment, the passion, the reaction, and I think it's also nice for everyone, for the fans, for the stadium. It was just a reaction.”
Asked whether he thought his £8,000 fine was a steep punishment from the FA, Maresca said: “It’s a lot, but it’s the rule. I think it was a reaction, a nice reaction. I was very happy in that moment. I need to accept the consequences. I’m quite happy to accept the consequences after that goal.”
When asked whether it had been worth it, he simply replied: “Yes.”
