Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 by the Football Association (FA) and warned over his future conduct after wearing a yellow ribbon supporting political prisoners in his native Catalonia.
On Monday, Guardiola accepted the FA charge of "wearing a political message". He admitted that his wearing of a yellow ribbon, in support of political leaders who were jailed following the Catalonia independence referendum last October, on the touchline in recent months is a breach of the governing body's kit and advertising regulations.
Back in November, Guardiola said he wore the ribbon to stand in solidarity with those imprisoned in the independence movement in his native Catalonia. The FA spoke to the City boss about the situation in December and had previously issued two formal warnings.
The City boss began wearing the pin in support of pro-independence politicians Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, who were imprisoned as part of the crackdown that followed last October's referendum in Catalonia and remain in custody.
A statement issued by the FA read: "Manchester City manager 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 regulations."