LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been charged by the Football Association for “wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon” and hence breaching kit and advertising regulations.

Guardiola said in November he wears the ribbon to support imprisoned politicians in his native Catalonia.

The ex-Barcelona and Spain midfielder has until 6pm on Monday, 5 March to respond to the charge.

The FA had spoken to Guardiola about the issue in mid-December and two formal warnings have been given which were ignored.

The charge was then triggered when he again wore it pitchside – he is free to wear it elsewhere – during City’s shock FA Cup loss against Wigan on Monday.

Guardiola had said in November: “If one day in prison was already too much, look how many days [the Catalan leaders] have been there now.

“Like everybody knows, hopefully sooner or later I can stop wearing it.

“All the politicians that are in prison, I hope they can leave and go back home soon with their families and continue living the lives they deserve.”

Warnings

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Two formal warnings had been issued which he has essentially ignored. The charge was triggered when he wore it during the game against Wigan in the FA Cup.

He is free to wear the yellow ribbon in the UEFA Champions League. Its rules say political symbols must be deemed offensive to trigger a breach of rules, which means he can wear ribbon on Tuesdays/Wednesdays but not Saturday.