Pep Guardiola fined £20,000 by FA for wearing yellow ribbon in FA Cup

Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 and warned regarding his future conduct after accepting a Football Association charge of wearing a “political message”.

The count related to the Manchester City manager’s wearing of a yellow ribbon in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians during his side’s FA Cup defeat at Wigan Athletic on 19 February. Guardiola’s deposition pointed out he had the ribbon covered before half-time and it became visible accidentally during the second half.

An FA statement said: “Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct after admitting an FA charge for wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon, in breach of the FA’s kit and advertising regulation.”

He may continue to wear the ribbon for his pre- and post-match media duties but it remains to be seen if he will ensure it is covered during his 90 minutes on the touchline. The regulation refers to this time period.

The ribbon is in support of prisoners in Catalonia following November’s referendum regarding independence for the region.

Guardiola has admitted he does not like playing on a Monday before City’s visit to Stoke. The last time City were in action on a Monday evening was their defeat at Wigan, though the manager says his aversion to playing a day or two after everyone else dates back to his time with Barcelona.

Source: theguardian