Guardiola insists he will ‘always wear’ yellow ribbon

CITY BOSS TAKES FIRST CROWN BUT IGNORES FA THREAT

PEP GUARDIOLA says that he will “always wear” the yellow ribbon in support of jailed pro-independence Catalan politicians, regardless of what punishment he gets from football’s authorities.

The Manchester City manager (above) ignored the FA threat of a ban at the League Cup final despite being charged last Friday for promoting a political message.

He could receive a fine or a touchline ban, but said that won’t stop him, insisting he is a “human being before a manager”.

“They know I will wear it always,” the City boss said. “I can wear it somewhere else (on my person).

“UEFA have another opinion – they say you can wear it as long as it’s with respect, here it’s different apparently.

“I accept the fine if I broke the rules. But I am a human being and this is for humanity.

Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, claimed a “nervous” Arsenal’s defeat was “self-inf licted” on a day when “everything went against us”, but argued it was a “mystery” that Manchester City’s second goal was not ruled out for offside.

“Congratulations to City. They will go home happy. We are very disappointed,” Wenger said.

“A little bit of everything went against us. We self-inflicted our punishment, we had an unbelievable chance at 0-0 and gave them a goal.

UNLUCKY

“We were a bit unlucky in the second half. We didn’t start well at all but the second goal is offside. It’s a mystery how it can not be given offside. After that, they controlled the game and well done to them. We conceded quickly for 3-0 before I could make the change and it was game over.

“You can never say you are not disappointed when you concede goals like that,” Wenger said when pressed on what he meant by self-inf licted.

“There’s no need for the corner on the second goal, but you take the good and the bad – that’s part of the game.”

Wenger added: “We played a good side. They dominate the Premier League and some of those (former) players (working as pundits) have not always played at 100pc. At 3-0 it’s difficult to come back.”

As regards how Arsenal can now save the season, Wenger said: “Let’s win the next (game) and leave the conclusions to you.”

That, however, may be easier said than done as Arsenal face City at the Emirates on Thursday.

“We have to win the next game. It doesn’t help that we face City. They’ll be on a high and we have to recover.”