Chelsea boss Maresca faces touchline ban ahead of Aston Villa clash

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is set to serve a second touchline ban of the season after being booked during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.

The yellow card, shown by referee Andy Madley at St James’ Park, was Maresca’s third of the campaign across different matches, automatically triggering a one-game suspension under FA regulations.

As a result, he will be absent from the touchline when Chelsea host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on December 27.

This marks Maresca’s second ban since taking charge. The Italian was previously sent off in October after leaving his technical area to celebrate Estevao Willian’s late winner against Liverpool, a dismissal that ruled him out of Chelsea’s subsequent 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest.

Why Maresca was booked

Explaining the incident, Maresca said his caution stemmed from protesting a yellow card shown to one of his players.

He argued that Newcastle committed three similar fouls earlier in the match without receiving comparable punishment, a complaint that led to his sanction.

The booking followed earlier cautions in September’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United and last month’s 2-0 win at Burnley, completing the threshold for a suspension.

Chelsea discipline under scrutiny

Chelsea’s wider disciplinary issues continue to attract attention. At Newcastle, Maresca’s yellow card was one of seven shown to Chelsea players and staff, a count that is expected to trigger a £50,000 FA fine and a formal warning.

The club had already been fined £25,000 earlier this season after picking up five yellow cards and a red card at Old Trafford.

Under FA rules, six or more yellow cards in a single match automatically result in financial penalties, increasing pressure on Chelsea to tighten their on-pitch and touchline discipline.