Maurizio Sarri, notable for smoking on the sidelines during his spell in Serie A, has found another way around the Premier League smoking ban, by clutching on to a packet of cigarettes during his home debut against Arsenal.
The Italian, 59, a heavy smoker, was spotted last week chewing on unlit cigarettes during Chelsea’s game away to Huddersfield Town to get around the no smoking policy implemented at English football grounds in 2007.
This time around, Sarri, who reportedly smokes around 80 cigarettes per day, held on to a packet of cigarettes in the dugout as he watched his side score a late winner through Marcos Alonso to pick up three points in a 3-2 victory against Arsenal.
True to form, Sarri was also spotted chowing down on some unlit cigarettes on the touchline in an attempt to satisfy his cravings. It remains to be seen how long Sarri will be forced to continue his touchline tobacco habits as, according to the Mirror, the Chelsea hierarchy are considering building a specially designed ‘smoking room’ for him within Stamford Bridge.