Guardiola accepts FA charge of promoting political message

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.