Everton boss David Moyes has launched a scathing attack on football’s regulations after receiving a yellow card for racing onto the playing surface following Beto’s dramatic late leveller against Brighton.
The Portuguese striker netted in the 97th minute on his 27th birthday, rescuing a 1-1 draw for the Toffees at the Amex Stadium after coming on as a substitute.
The 63-year-old Scottish manager was unable to contain himself after securing the point, dashing from his dugout onto the pitch before referee Chris Kavanagh cautioned him for straying beyond the technical area.
“We’re killing it,” Moyes declared.
“The managers can’t come out of their technical area to celebrate a goal, knee sliding, do things which give you people [the media] quite a bit to talk about.”
Moyes referenced David Pleat’s iconic celebration at Maine Road in 1983, when the Luton manager famously sprinted across the pitch after his side secured top-flight survival with a victory over Manchester City on the final day of the season.
“I hope you’re not going to call me ‘Pleaty’ going forward,” the Everton manager quipped.
The celebration that got Everton’s David Moyes booked vs Brighton.
Moyes at FT: “I will do it again. If I’d been a bit more mobile, I might have done a knee slide! That would have only got me a yellow as well, so I might as well have gone the whole hog!”pic.twitter.com/OBSb5QfMlz
— Kyama ⚽ (@ElijahKyama_) February 1, 2026
He pointed out the stark contrast in how such moments are treated now compared to four decades ago.
“The difference is Pleat doesn’t get booked for it, they think it’s OK and everybody enjoys seeing the celebrations,” Moyes said, lamenting that modern rules are stripping the game of its most memorable emotional outpourings.
When asked whether he would repeat his touchline dash in future, Moyes was unequivocal in his response.
Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWS
“I b****y will do it again!” he declared.
“Actually, if I’d been a bit more mobile, I might have done a knee slide.
“That would only have got me a yellow as well, so I might as well have gone the whole hog.”
His defiant stance underscores the frustration many managers feel about regulations that punish spontaneous displays of joy during football’s most thrilling moments.
Moyes is far from alone in facing punishment for celebratory outbursts this season.
Everton scored at the death to earn a 1-1 draw against Brighton
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REUTERS
Former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca received a one-match touchline ban after collecting a second yellow card for leaving his technical area during a dramatic late victory over Liverpool.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has previously admitted to cutting short his celebrations during last season’s FA Cup semi-final triumph over Aston Villa, fearing suspension for the final.
Some of football’s most iconic managerial moments would fall foul of current regulations.
Jose Mourinho’s famous touchline sprint at Old Trafford in 2004, Jurgen Klopp embracing Alisson Becker on the pitch after a last-gasp Merseyside derby winner in 2018, and Diego Maradona’s belly-first slide in 2009 would all warrant punishment today.
