Everton manager David Moyes has criticised football’s rules after being booked for celebrating Beto’s last-minute equaliser against Brighton.
Beto, who came off the bench, scored in the 97th minute on his 27th birthday to earn Everton a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium. Moyes, overwhelmed with excitement, ran onto the pitch from his technical area, only to be shown a yellow card by referee Chris Kavanagh for leaving the designated area.
Moyes compared himself to David Pleat, who famously celebrated avoiding relegation with Luton in 1983 without being booked. “Pleat doesn’t get booked for it, they enjoy seeing the celebrations. Managers now can’t leave the technical area to celebrate a goal without punishment,” Moyes said.
Asked if he would do it again, Moyes joked: “I bloody will do it again! Maybe next time I’ll even go for a knee slide—it’ll still only get me a yellow.”
The current rules have caught out other managers too. Enzo Maresca of Chelsea was banned for a match after leaving his area to celebrate against Liverpool, while others like Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, and even Diego Maradona have produced memorable celebrations under the old rules, running or sliding onto the pitch without punishment.
