Guardiola is named in Spanish police report

MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola has been named in a Spanish police report investigating the Catalan independence movement. Leading members were jailed after a referendum on October 1 was deemed illegal by the Spanish government. They are being investigated for alleged ‘rebellion’ and reports suggest Guardiola is cited. The focus is on organised meetings and protests and Guardiola addressed one rally in June, reading a manifesto stating: ‘We will vote though the Spanish state does not want it.’ The FA, meanwhile, has decided to take no action over the Manchester derby tunnel bust-up at Old Trafford earlier this month, while United boss Jose Mourinho also escaped with a warning over his pre-match comments about City making tactical fouls. Both United and City were formally asked for their observations over the tunnel incident on December 10, in which up to 30 players and staff from both clubs clashed in the dressing-room area. But the FA released a statement yesterday confirming that neither club will be punished. It read: ‘Following a review of the evidence provided by the clubs and independent eyewitnesses, the FA will be taking no formal action.’ The United manager became involved in a verbal altercation with goalkeeper Ederson outside City’s dressing room. Mourinho was hit on the head with an empty water bottle thrown from inside the room while a member of his staff was showered with milk from a carton aimed at the United manager. United players rushed to Mourinho’s defence and clashed with members of the City squad as punches were thrown on both sides. During the melee, City coach Mikel Arteta suffered a cut to his forehead, which required four butterfly stitches. However, Greater Manchester Police decided to take no action and the FA have followed suit after considering reports from both clubs. Mourinho was also asked by the FA to give his observations as they investigated whether the Portuguese had contravened the laws by putting referee Michael Oliver under pressure in his pre-match press conference. The governing body decided to take no further action but have reminded Mourinho that any further public comments about match officials may result in disciplinary action.