Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola risks further punishment as he wears yellow ribbon in dugout during the Citizens’ clash against Stoke
Former Barcelona chief continues to show his support for jailed politicians in Catalonia despite being fined £20,000 by the FA for wearing a political message
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PEP GUARDIOLA has risked further punishment by the FA after his yellow ribbon was on show during Manchester City's clash with Stoke.
The City boss was last week hit with a £20,000 fine by England football's governing body for wearing the ribbon in support of four Catalan leaders jailed after the region's illegal referendum.
Guardiola, 47, accepted a charge of breaching the FA's kit and advertising regulations - which ban players and managers from wearing any object deemed to be a political statement.
Yet the former Barcelona boss argues the ribbon is not political and continued to wear it underneath his overcoat in the dugout at the bet365 stadium.
Guardiola was later seen removing the ribbon after it became visible during the first half.
After the game, he said: "I respect the FA, I don't agree, but I respect them. They allow me to wear bring it to the game and wear it afterwards."
The Catalan chief was warned over his future conduct by the FA, after he was charged for wearing the ribbon on the touchline during City's 1-0 defeat against Wigan in the FA Cup.
He had previously been warned by the FA back in December over his support, while he was also issued two formal warnings for wearing a yellow ribbon.
The ex-Spain international maintains the support of his club over his actions and refuses to apologise.
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Speaking recently, he said: "It’s not about politicians, it’s about democracy. Before I am a manager, I am a human being."
While he also added: "I hope that the politicians in prison can leave as soon as possible for their families, if it can happen to them then it can happen to us. For giving an opinion.
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"The solution is that the state and Catalonia should agree and we can have an agreed referendum. It's as simple as that."
Guardiola was left delighted with his side who took a 1-0 lead going into the second half against Stoke, following an early strike from David Silva.
And the former Valencia maestro doubled their lead when he netted for the second time at the start of the second period as City won 2-0 to take another step towards the Premier League title.