LONDON (AP) — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has accepted a charge of promoting a political message by wearing a ribbon in support of imprisoned and ousted pro-independence Catalan politicians.
The English Football Association says on Monday the ribbon is in breach of kit and advertising regulations, and that a hearing for Guardiola will be arranged in due course.
Guardiola was born in Catalonia and is revered in the region because of his links with Barcelona’s soccer team, as a player and coach.
Guardiola has been wearing the yellow ribbon at matches and news conferences since Catalonia’s failed secession bid in October when a banned independence referendum was held.