Pep Guardiola will receive a two-game touchline ban after the Manchester City boss was booked for the sixth time this season during the FA Cup win over Newcastle.
Guardiola was yellow-carded for protesting to fourth official Lewis Smith on the touchline at St James’ Park after Kieran Trippier had fouled Jeremy Doku, with referee Sam Barrott issuing the caution.
Managers receive a one-game touchline ban for every three yellow cards, and new regulations introduced this season mean a sixth yellow card triggers a two-game suspension.
Guardiola will be absent from the touchline for City’s Premier League trip to West Ham on March 14 and the FA Cup quarter-final in the first weekend of April. However, he is allowed to be in the dugout for the Carabao Cup final on March 22 against Arsenal, despite that match falling between the two banned fixtures.
The FA guidelines state that “play-off matches (semi-finals and finals) in the EFL and National League System, as well as finals of the Emirates FA Cup, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy are exempt from any automatic touchline ban for the accumulation of cautions by technical area occupants”.
Reacting to the suspension, Guardiola said in his press conference: “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. Two-game ban now and I will go on holidays the next two games. There are things after 10 years I cannot understand. Review the action. Of course I’m going to defend Doku and all my teams.”
IN PICTURES: Guardiola’s angry scenes
Guardiola wanted a foul for Kieran Trippier’s challenge on Jeremy Doku and his complaints earned him a booking.
Guardiola kept on remonstrating even after his yellow card.
Guardiola appeared to still be remonstrating after the final whistle; his City team won 3-1.
Man City’s upcoming fixtures
Matches where Guardiola has a touchline ban are indicated with (ban)
March 11: Real Madrid (A), Champions League last 16 first leg, kick-off 8pm
March 14: West Ham (A), Premier League, kick-off 8pm (ban)
March 17: Real Madrid (H), Champions League last 16 second leg, kick-off 8pm
March 22: Arsenal (N), Carabao Cup final, kick-off 4.30pm
April 4/5: Opponent TBC – FA Cup quarter-final (ban)