Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will miss the touchline for the club’s upcoming Premier League home match against Everton after receiving a one-match suspension from the English Football Association, according to a report by the BBC on Monday. The ban comes after Maresca picked up his third yellow card of the season, the latest of which was shown following his animated celebrations after Pedro Neto’s stoppage-time goal secured a 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday, April 20.
The victory moved Chelsea into fifth place—the final Champions League qualification spot—on goal difference ahead of Nottingham Forest. However, Forest have the chance to reclaim that position if they avoid defeat in their clash with Tottenham later on Monday, April 21.
Maresca, 45, had previously received yellow cards during Chelsea’s matches against Newcastle and Bournemouth earlier in the campaign. His suspension applies only to Saturday’s game against Everton at Stamford Bridge, and he is expected to return to the touchline for Chelsea’s fixture against current league leaders Liverpool on May 4.
In Maresca’s absence, assistant manager Willy Caballero—the former Argentina international and ex-Chelsea goalkeeper—is expected to oversee touchline responsibilities for the important match against Everton.
