Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been handed a one-match touchline ban and fined £8,000 by the Football Association for misconduct during his side’s dramatic 2–1 Premier League victory over Liverpool on October 4. The Italian coach will serve the suspension when Chelsea travel to Nottingham Forest for their Premier League fixture on Saturday, the FA confirmed on Wednesday. According to the FA, Maresca admitted the charge of improper conduct, which stemmed from his reaction to a series of events late in the game at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea boss first received a yellow card for dissent after protesting a penalty decision, before being shown a second yellow card deep into stoppage time for overly exuberant celebrations following Estevao Willian’s dramatic winner in the 96th minute. Maresca’s emotional outburst saw him sprinting down the touchline to celebrate with his players — a move that drew cheers from the home crowd but a reprimand from match officials. Chelsea had gone into the Liverpool clash under mounting pressure after two consecutive defeats, and the hard-fought victory not only eased tensions but temporarily lifted the Blues to sixth place in the Premier League standings. Speaking later to Italian media, Maresca admitted his behaviour had been spontaneous, describing his actions as “an instinctive reaction” in a tense moment. “It was an instinctive reaction — I couldn’t control the emotion,” he said. “If I had to do it again, I probably would. It was worth it.” Despite the disciplinary setback, Maresca’s passionate touchline display has been viewed by some Chelsea supporters as a sign of his deep commitment to the team’s revival. The 44-year-old, who took over at Stamford Bridge in the summer, has faced intense scrutiny amid inconsistent performances. However, the dramatic win over Liverpool offered a brief reprieve and a glimpse of the fighting spirit he has been trying to instill in his squad. Chelsea will now have to face Nottingham Forest without their manager in the dugout, as Maresca serves his suspension from the touchline this weekend.