Guardiola fined over ‘political’ yellow ribbon
LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 (RM108,398) and warned of his future conduct by the Football Association for wearing a yellow ribbon in support of jailed politicians in Catalonia.
Guardiola has continually sported the ribbon in City’s Premier League matches as well as games in domestic and European cup competitions.
“Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct after admitting an FA charge for wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon, in breach of the FA’s kit and advertising regulations,” the FA said in a statement.
Guardiola has argued that wearing the symbol is not political but has accepted it is in breach of the FA’s kit and advertising regulations.
Guardiola, meanwhile, claimed on Friday that he is fearful of the trip to Stoke City, given a recent problematic record on Monday nights.
City lost at Wigan three weeks ago and drew against Everton in August, while Guardiola also suggested the midweek defeat by Basel should serve as a warning to his players.
“I don’t like to play on Monday because the weekend everybody is involved and when the weekend is over, we have to play,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know if the players can be ready, but we are going to work on that these next few days. It’s just from my experience, and I don’t like it.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are at loggerheads with City as hundreds of away fans look set to being locked out of next month’s derby.
United are disgruntled at their rivals for failing to offer the full allocation of 3,000 at one end of the Etihad Stadium on April 7. United officials have complained in writing to City to express displeasure as the row escalates.
The Premier League are aware of the issue and could yet become involved, although there is an acceptance that United’s allocation is unlikely to change.
Guardiola could clinch his first league title that day and the problem between the two clubs comes after United denied a City film crew access to the Old Trafford tunnel earlier in the season.