Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola charged by FA for wearing yellow ribbon, breaching ‘political message’ rules
MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola has been charged by the FA over a “political message” for wearing a yellow ribbon.
The Spaniard explained his reasoning for wearing the token in December, saying it was in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians.
However, on Frida, an FA statement read: “Pep Guardiola has been charged for wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon, in breach of The FA’s kit and advertising regulations.
“He has until 6pm on Monday 5 March 2018 to respond to the charge.”
At the time, Guardiola revealed he was happy to face a fine or suspension for the stunt – for the good cause.
The City chief claimed: “If they want to suspend me – Uefa, Premier League, Fifa. It’s OK”.
Guardiola was born in Catalonia and has previously both played and managed Barcelona.
The Spaniard had been wearing the yellow ribbon for much of the season, without issue, until Jose Mourinho commented on it before the Manchester derby.
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The Old Trafford chief claimed he would have been punished should he have been the one to make the statement.
However, Guardiola backed-up his reasoning by saying: “I do that because in Spain for two specific people who defend something like the vote, something the people in command do not agree [with], are in prison.
Why does Pep Guardiola wear a yellow ribbon?
DURING a press conference in November, Guardiola told reporters that he had put the badge on as a gesture of support for imprisoned politicians Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez.
The City manager was born in Santpedor in central Catalonia and was manager of Catalan club Barcelona before joining the Premier League side.
Cuixart and Sanchez are currently in prison due to the row over Catalan independence.
The pair, who are presidents of the political groups Omnium, and ANC, were locked up in October accused of sedition, rebellion and embezzlement.
Spain’s state prosecutor is seeking to punish the duo after they allowed a vote to declare Catalonian independence.
The Citizens’ manager was named in a police report investigating the Catalan independence.
This comes after Guardiola publicly pledged his support for the region to break away from the Spanish state.
According to reports in Spain, the report which is looking into the actions of Cuixart and Sanchez mentions Guardiola who has voiced his support for the pair.
“To make a rebellion on something like that, you have to be something tough to be in prison.
“And they are still there. So, until they are not out, always here (points to ribbon) will be shared with me.
“Because, OK, they can suspend me for doing that, but the other people are in jail.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola is expected to sign a new contract at Man City – seeing his pay increase by £3million per year.
The Spaniard is set to rake in around £20m a year and stay at the Etihad until at least the summer of 2021.
Despite the massive pay boost, Guardiola is still yet to get his hands on a trophy at City – and recently saw his quadruple hopes crushed by Wigan in the FA Cup.