Guardiola to Manage From Stands for City League & Cup Games, Available for Carabao Cup Final

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be forced to watch upcoming matches from the stands after receiving a two-game touchline ban, but the suspension will not affect his availability for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

Ban Details and Application

The ban stems from Guardiola accumulating his sixth yellow card of the season during Manchester City’s 3-1 FA Cup victory over Newcastle United on Saturday. The suspension applies to Premier League and FA Cup fixtures only, meaning Guardiola will be present on the touchline for the Carabao Cup final on March 22nd.

Upcoming Matches Affected

Guardiola will be required to watch from the stands for City’s next Premier League game against West Ham United, scheduled for next Saturday. He will also be absent from the dugout during the FA Cup quarter-final, which will take place during the first weekend of April. The draw for the FA Cup quarter-final will be held on Monday.

Incident at Newcastle

The yellow card was issued after Guardiola reacted strongly to a challenge on Jeremy Doku, protesting that a foul should have been called. He reportedly squared up to the fourth official and removed his coat in frustration.

“When Jeremy Doku dribbles Trippier and goes alone to the box and is being pulled from behind, I’m not asking for a yellow card but it’s a foul. I will defend my team.”

Pep Guardiola

Guardiola jokingly suggested he would go on holiday during the matches he is prohibited from the technical area.

Previous Suspension

This is not the first time Guardiola has faced a touchline ban this season. He previously had to watch City’s 10-1 win over Exeter in the FA Cup third round from the stands as a punishment for receiving three bookings.

Further Potential Bans

Should Guardiola reach nine yellow cards, he will face a three-match ban. Twelve cautions would lead to an FA misconduct charge.

FAQ

• Will Pep Guardiola be on the touchline for the Carabao Cup final? Yes, the ban only applies to Premier League and FA Cup matches.
• Which matches will Guardiola miss? He will miss the Premier League game against West Ham and the FA Cup quarter-final.
• What caused the ban? Guardiola received his sixth yellow card of the season during the FA Cup match against Newcastle.

Guardiola’s absence from the touchline will undoubtedly be felt during the affected matches, but City fans can rest assured that he will be back to lead the team in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.