Man City’s Pep Guardiola Sports Political Ribbon, Courts Controversy

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been charged by the Football Association for wearing a political message. He breached the FA's kit and advertising regulations, the governing body said.

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

The ex-Barcelona manager has until 18:00 GMT on Monday, 5 March to respond to the charge, according to FA’s governing body.

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 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 they've 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."

Two formal warnings have been issued which he has essentially ignored. The yellow ribbon pertains to Spain’s Catalan movement.