Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola accepts FA charge over wearing yellow ribbon… but won’t apologise for the stunt
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PEP GUARDIOLA has accepted an FA charge over his yellow ribbon - but has no plans to apologise.
The Manchester City boss was in hot water for "wearing a political message" which is a breach of kit and advertising regulations.
Guardiola has been showing his support of imprisoned Catalan politicians who had been campaigning for independence back in Spain.
He wrote a letter explaining his reasons to the FA on Saturday - before the controversial comments made by FA chief Martin Glenn.
While he has not said sorry, the Etihad boss does recognise the rules of the country in which he now works and will abide by them.
The charge came after the stormy FA Cup fifth round defeat at Wigan last month.
Since then City have played three matches - two against Arsenal and one against Chelsea - and has not displayed the ribbon.
He has worn it for those games but covered it with his coat or scarf, while on Sunday he wore a yellow flower in support of cancer charity Marie Curie.
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And there is no problem with him wearing it before or after matches as well as during press conferences - so Pep is likely to carry on doing so.
City have been supportive of their manager in his stance - and believe the FA rules are open to scrutiny.
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Despite being viewed by some as a political statement, poppies are worn by top flight clubs around Remembrance Sunday.
Uefa have no rules preventing the ribbon being worn - so he is likely to display it during the Champions League tie against Basel at the Etihad on Wednesday.
Guardiola can expect a fine on this occasion - but could have been looking at a touchline ban if he had continued to break the rules.