Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola picked up his sixth yellow card of the season during Saturday’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Newcastle United, which means he’s facing a two-match touchline ban. It happened at St James’ Park after Guardiola got into a heated argument with fourth official Lewis Smith—he was furious because Kieran Trippier seemed to foul Jeremy Doku and didn’t get called for it. Even with the suspension hanging over him, there’s a twist: thanks to a specific FA loophole, Guardiola still gets to be on the sidelines for the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. So, he won’t miss the big one.
Why Pep Saw Red? (Second Yellow)
The incident took place during the second period of City’s FA Cup match. Jeremy Doku was able to get past Kieran Trippier on the flank, and it seemed that he was pulled back when he was going into the box. When the referee Sam Barrott denied the penalty, Guardiola lost it at the bench, and he even turned his anger against the fourth official. The new disciplinary rules that are being enforced from the 2025/26 season allow the accumulation of three yellow cards to lead to a one-game ban, while a sixth caution means an automatic two-game suspension.
What Pep Can and Cannot Do During His Ban?
During the matches against West Ham and the FA Cup quarter-final, Guardiola will face some restrictions:
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Prohibited: He cannot enter the technical area, pitch, or tunnel during the match.
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Allowed: He can conduct pre-match and post-match press conferences and interviews.
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Communication: He is permitted to stay in the dressing room before kickoff and at halftime to give team talks, and can communicate electronically with assistant Juanma Lillo on the bench.
