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Guardiola accepts FA charge of promoting political message

Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola looks during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

LONDON (AP) — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola accepted a charge of promoting a political message by wearing a ribbon in support of imprisoned and ousted pro-independence Catalan politicians, the English Football Association said on Monday.

The ribbon was in breach of kit and advertising regulations, the FA said. A hearing for Guardiola will be arranged in due course.

Guardiola has been wearing the yellow ribbon at matches and news conferences since Catalonia's failed secession bid in October, when a banned independence referendum was held. He was born in Catalonia and is revered in the region because of his links with Barcelona's soccer team, as a player and coach.

Under FA rules, Guardiola cannot wear the ribbon on the touchline during games. He is likely to continue wearing it at other times.

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