Pep Guardiola has been handed a two-match touchline suspension after receiving his sixth yellow card of the season during Manchester City’s FA Cup win at Newcastle.
The booking came when Guardiola confronted fourth official Lewis Smith on the touchline at St James’ Park following Kieran Trippier’s challenge on Jeremy Doku; referee Sam Barrott issued the caution for the protest.
Under the rules, managers receive a one-game touchline ban for every three yellow cards, and this season’s change means a sixth caution now triggers a two-game suspension. As a result Guardiola will be barred 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 permitted to be in the dugout for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on March 22, even though that match falls between the two suspended fixtures. The FA’s guidance confirms that play-off matches and finals in the EFL and National League systems, as well as the finals of the Emirates FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy, are exempt from automatic touchline bans that arise from accumulated cautions.
Reacting to the suspension, Guardiola joked about his disciplinary record and said he intended to retain his proud collection of records, adding that he’ll effectively be on holiday for the next two games. He also defended his actions, saying he was trying to protect Doku and his players and asked for the incident to be reviewed.
Guardiola continued to remonstrate on the touchline after being booked and still appeared unhappy after the final whistle, although Manchester City completed a 3-1 victory.
Man City’s upcoming fixtures (matches where Guardiola is banned are marked 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)