Former Chelsea player, Frank Lebouef, has defended manager, Enzo Maresca after the Italian was sent off during the Blues’ Premier League 2-1 win against Liverpool at the weekend.
Recall that Chelsea defeated Arne Slot’s side, thanks to Estevao’s 96th minute winner.
Estevao’s goal caused a wild jubilant scenes at Stamford Bridge as Maresca was captured by camera as he sprinted down the touchline to celebrate with his players and the home fans.
Maresca was shown a second yellow card by the referee Anthony Taylor upon his return to the dugout after his wild celebration.
The former Leicester City manager, however, didn’t partake in the post-match press conference because of the red card as his assistant Willy Caballero took over.
Speaking on the development, Lebouef insisted that the referee’s decision was unfair, adding that former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho also celebrated wild in the past.
“Coaches are human and especially with the pressure that they are under,” Lebouef said on ESPN.
“He [Maresca] did not do anything bad, it is not like he was teasing the opponents, he was just celebrating with his players. I remember seeing that with Jose Mourinho in the past and so many others.
“I think it was unfair and it is not because it is the Chelsea coach, it would have been [unfair for] anybody else.”
EPL: It’s unfair, Mourinho did same – Lebouef defends Chelsea manager Maresca