Pep Guardiola is set to serve a two-match touchline suspension following his sixth booking of the campaign during Manchester City’s 3-1 FA Cup triumph at St James’ Park.
The City manager will be absent from the dugout for the upcoming Premier League fixture against West Ham and the FA Cup quarter-final tie.
However, the Spaniard will be permitted to take his place on the touchline for the Carabao Cup Final against Arsenal, as League Cup fixtures operate under separate disciplinary regulations and are treated as an independent competition.
Guardiola has previously served one-game bans both last season and in January, when he was forced to observe City’s third-round victory over Exeter from the stands.
The flashpoint came during the second half when Guardiola took exception to a challenge by Kieran Trippier on winger Jeremy Doku.
The City boss reacted furiously after Trippier pulled back Doku as the Belgian attempted to drive towards the penalty area, with Guardiola believing a foul should have been awarded.
He confronted fourth official Lewis Smith in an angry exchange, prompting referee Sam Barrott to show him a yellow card.
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REUTERSThe situation continued after the final whistle, with City staff required to intervene and restrain Guardiola from approaching the match officials.
“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,” Guardiola explained.
“I will defend my team,” he added defiantly.
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The 54-year-old then made a sardonic reference to his disciplinary record, declaring: “I will tell you something we have all the records in this country, all of them, despite everything.
“We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I want all records and now I have it.”
Guardiola expressed his exasperation at the impending suspension, stating: “Two game ban now and I will go on holidays the next two games. Oh my god. Oh my god. There are things after 10 years I cannot understand. Review the action.”
He remained unapologetic about his conduct, insisting: “Of course I’m going to defend Doku and all my teams. They continue to do it.”
Regulations introduced for the current season stipulate that Premier League managers face suspension upon accumulating three yellow cards, with this rule extending to FA Cup matches but excluding Carabao Cup fixtures.
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REUTERS
The threshold for a two-match ban has been reduced from eight cautions to six under the revised framework, a figure Guardiola has now reached.
Should the City manager receive three further bookings, he would face a three-game suspension, while any manager collecting 12 yellow cards will be subject to an FA misconduct charge and referred to a Regulatory Commission.
Guardiola was not the only member of City’s coaching staff to be cautioned at St James’ Park, with assistant manager Kolo Toure also receiving a booking during the first half.
The result means last year’s finalists remain in contention for the prize, while they’re also still competing for Premier League, Carabao Cup and Champions League glory.
