Daily Mail

PEP FACES THREE-GAME BAN AFTER REFEREE RANT

- JACK GAUGHAN

PEP GUARDIOLA faces being banned from the first three games of Manchester City’s next Champions League campaign as UEFA accused him of breaking their rules twice last night. Guardiola is accused of verbally abusing referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz during the controvers­ial Champions League defeat by Liverpool. Guardiola ran on the pitch to criticise Mateu Lahoz’s incorrect call to disallow a Leroy Sane goal, which would have put City 2-0 in front — and deny a Raheem Sterling penalty appeal. Lip-readers working for Spain broadcaste­r Antena 3 quoted Guardiola as saying: ‘It’s a penalty. Look at it on the TV. It’s a goal and a penalty. Shut your mouth.’ UEFA’s rules state

that players or coaches must not direct abusive language towards a match official. If guilty, he could be banned for two matches to add to the one-match automatic ban as a result of his dismissal. Guardiola denies he insulted Mateu Lahoz, saying: ‘I said he was wrong. I didn’t insult him. I just said it was a penalty and it was a goal.’ The City boss is also likely to receive a fine for communicat­ing with the bench. Images showed Guardiola talking to club video analyst Carles Planchart in the stand and Sergio Aguero was brought on shortly after. Liverpool also face two charges, with their fans accused of setting off fireworks and throwing objects. They also face charges for crowd disturbanc­es before the first leg.

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