Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has been charged by the Football Association for wearing a political message.
He specifically wore a yellow ribbon in support of imprisoned Catalan political leaders, which the FA said was in breach of kit and advertising regulations.
Guardiola confirmed that he wears the ribbon to support the imprisoned politicians in his native Catalonia.
The ex-Barcelona and Spain midfielder has until 18:00 GMT (7.00pm Nigerian Time) on March 5 to respond to the charge.
The FA had spoken to Guardiola in mid-December after two formal warnings had been given which were ignored.
The charges were then triggered when he wore it pitch-side during City’s shock FA cup loss to Wigan on Monday.
Two key members of the Catalans Independence movement were held without bail, for their role in the Catalan independence vote in October which the Madrid government deemed illegal.
Guardiola said in December, “I do that because in Spain two specific people who defend something like the vote, something the people in command do not agree [with], are in prison. It’s unfair.
“To make a rebellion on something like that, you have to be something tough to be in prison. And they are still there. So, while they are not out, always here [pointing to ribbon] will be shared with me. Because, OK, they can suspend me for doing that but the other people are in jail. If they want to suspend me – Uefa, Premier League, Fifa – it’s OK.”
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