Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola being investigated by Spanish police for ‘rebelling’ during Catalan referendum
It is claimed that the Man City boss participated in an illegal act by reading out pro-independence manifesto during a march with party leaders on June 11
PEP GUARDIOLA is under investigation by the Spanish police for "rebellion" during the controversial Catalan referendum, according to reports in Catalonia.
Spain has undergone a turbulent few months following the autonomous region's decision to host a vote for its independence, despite being told not to.
Manchester City boss Guardiola has always been a staunch supporter of Catalonia and was never shy to speak about the injustice he felt over the treatment of those who attempted to register their vote.
reveal he is among a group of names under investigation for "rebelling" against the government after he read a pro-independence manifesto to supporters during a march on June 11.
An official statement read: "The manifesto was read by Josep Guardiola and was done so to mobilise all the supporters of independence."
The unofficial referendum caused shockwaves throughout Europe due to the civil unrest it caused.
Supporters of independence were violently prevented from casting their vote on October 1 by police ordered by the Spanish government who had prohibited the vote, deeming it "illegal."
Guardiola's pro-independence sentiments are well known and he recently labelled the jailing of eight deposed members of the Catalan government as "scary".
The two-time Champions League-winning boss said at the time that he was "worried" because "what happened to them could happen to us for giving an opinion."
He then urged the Catalan and Spanish leaders to arrange a meeting where they could arrange another, definitive, referendum.
The day itself caused major issues on the Spanish football calendar, with Barcelona forced to play their home match against Las Palmas behind closed doors.
It ended in a 3-0 victory for the Catalans, but the visitors stoked controversy when they played with shirts bearing the Spanish flag.
Along with Guardiola, the leaders of the various pro-independence parties are also under investigation.