Manager faces three-match suspension for dismissal

Pep Guardiola is sweating over the prospect of a three-match touchline ban after he was charged with improper conduct by Uefa following his sending-off at half-time in Manchester City’s Champions League exit at the Etihad.

The Spaniard will receive an automatic one-match suspension for his dismissal but the punishment could be extended to include a further two games if he is found to have verbally abused or insulted referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.

Uefa’s control, ethics and disciplinary body is due to hear the case on May 31, with the City coach under threat of having to watch half of his side’s six Champions League group-stage games next season from the stands.

Guardiola was sent off for remonstrating angrily with Lahoz at the end of the first-half over the Spanish official’s decision to incorrectly rule out a goal by Leroy Sane for offside. He watched the second period from a seat in the stands next to his adviser, Manel Estiarte.

Guardiola was also charged by Uefa with breaching rules that prevent managers who have been sent off from communicating with their bench, amid suggestions the Catalan relayed instructions to staff during the second half of his team’s 2-1 defeat.

Carles Planchart, City’s performance analyst, was spotted on television at the top of the steps a short distance behind where Guardiola was sitting. Moments later, in the 66th minute, City striker Sergio Aguero came on as a substitute. Guardiola is likely to escape with a warning if found guilty of communicating with his bench.

Uefa decided to charge Guardiola after reviewing match reports from Lahoz and Bernd Barutta, the Uefa delegate from Germany, yesterday.

Liverpool could also be punished by Uefa after they were charged over their fans throwing objects and setting off fireworks inside the Etihad.

City are investigating skirmishes between City and Liverpool fans in the home end amid concerns that some of their own supporters may have sold tickets to their Liverpool counterparts.

The club are prepared to hand out a life ban to any supporter who is proven to have done so.