Defiant Pep won’t remove his ribbon

PEP GUARDIOLA vowed to continue wearing his yellow ribbon after defying an FA charge yesterday. The Manchester City manager has been charged with promoting a political message by supporting jailed pro-independence Catalan politicians. Guardiola, who has until March 5 to answer the charge, faces a fine or touchline ban after sporting the ribbon at Wembley. ‘They know I will always wear it,’ he said. ‘UEFA have another opinion, they say you can wear it as long as it’s with respect. Here it’s different apparently. ‘People in England know what that means. You let people have an opinion on Brexit, the Scottish referendum. That’s what these guys asked and they’re in jail — 145 days. ‘Everyone is innocent until the judge proves you are guilty. It’s not being disrespectful but to be part of something humanitarian.’ Guardiola started pinning the ribbon to his clothes for matches and Press conferences after Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart, who lead prominent separatist groups, became political prisoners. ‘I accept if I break the rules — I accept the fine. I’m a human being,’ he added. ‘There are guys in prison. They don’t have weapons. The weapons we have are the votes, the ballot.’ The City manager said his players would have a small reception with their families in London last night, before reporting for training in Manchester this morning. Captain Vincent Kompany, asked if City can go on to win a Treble, replied: ‘I hope so, but you can’t take anything for granted. Nothing is handed to you on a plate. ‘We still have the league to play for — a couple of big games coming up now, Arsenal and Chelsea — and the Champions League, which is still a massive objective. ‘So to say we have the ambition, yes, but to say we’re anywhere near . . . steady, take our time.’