Pep accepts charge over yellow ribbon

PEP Guardiola has accepted the FA charge for wearing a yellow ribbon in support of Catalan prisoners.

The governing body is expected to announce its punishment of the City manager today, but Guardiola has agreed to observe the rules in future.

That means he will carry on wearing the ribbon, which he claims has no political significance but is a humanitarian gesture, in public – but will ensure it is covered up while he is pitchside during matches.

Guardiola was charged after the ribbon became visible during the FA Cup tie at Wigan, after he had received two warnings that it contravened the rules.

But City say that he had accidentally revealed the symbol by unzipping his jacket during the second half at the DW Stadium, after deliberately covering it up.

Since being charged Guardiola has observed the rule by keeping the ribbon covered up.

Many thought he had flouted the rule again during the win over Chelsea on Sunday, but he was actually wearing a daffodil badge in support of the Marie Curie charity, as was opposite number Antonio Conte.

The FA has tied itself in knots over the issue, laying itself open to accusations of hypocrisy over its own fight with Fifa over displaying the poppy on England shirts.

And chief executive Martin Glenn landed himself in more hot water by likening the yellow ribbon to ‘the Star of David’ and the ‘swastika’ – for which he has since apologised.