Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has defended the tradition of congratulating the Premier League champions with a guard of honor after Liverpool was crowned as title winners – before his own fans booed during the gesture.
The Reds clinched a record-equalling 20th championship with a convincing 5-1 demolition job victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. After last claiming the top flight crown in front of fans all the way back in 1990, Arne Slot’s men were hailed by the Anfield crowd for their efforts with carnival-like scenes at the famous old ground following the final whistle.
Having taken the title from Manchester City, this achievement means that Liverpool was afforded a special guard of honor by rival teams during the remaining four fixtures of the season. A tradition that goes all the way back to 1955 in England, Chelsea was the first to mark the Reds’ triumph in this manner.
Ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge, Blues head coach Maresca defended the custom despite dissenting voices in recent days from figures such as ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand. During an exchange on TNT Sports, the Old Trafford legend made no secret of his disapproval, in what proved to be a divisive remark.
The Italian made no secret of his stance heading into the fixture against the newly-crowned champions, declaring: “I played for many years in Spain and did exactly the same. It is the right thing to do.”
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“Liverpool won the Premier League, so deserves it. I don’t think we need to give a guard of honor to understand how good it is to win the Premier League – we know that it’s something very nice.
“But for sure, when you are standing there, probably in their minds our players are thinking, ‘I would like one day to be there’, he said, before adding: : “In terms of the gap between us and Liverpool, it is there, you can see this clearly. My feeling is we are [moving] in the right direction and hopefully this gap can be smaller and smaller.”
While Chelsea’s stars did line up to mark Liverpool’s achievements this term, there were some jeers from the home supporters at Stamford Bridge. Those fans appeared to be in agreement with aforementioned ex-Red Devils star Ferdinand, joined former Anfield cult hero Peter Crouch in admitting to misgivings regarding the tradition.
The latter started by opining: “I don’t like it. I don’t know… Maybe it shows respect, but I think it’s a bit embarrassing for the team that comes out and it’s highly embarrassing for the team that is clapping them on the field. It’s not for me.”
Then, Ferdinand remarked: “I didn’t like it. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a guard of honor and be on the receiving end of it, and both are quite awkward. Crouchy is exactly right.”
