Pep Guardiola faces being banned from the first three games of Manchester City’s next Champions League campaign after UEFA accused him of breaking their rules twice on Tuesday night.
UEFA have charged the Manchester City manager with two breaches of their disciplinary regulations after he was sent off during Tuesday’s controversial Champions League defeat by Liverpool.
Guardiola is accused of verbally abusing referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz and then, after his dismissal, communicating with his backroom staff during the second half.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola faces a three-match ban in the Champions League
The Spaniard was sent off at half-time of Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat by Liverpool
The former Barcelona boss entered the field at half-time to bemoan Mateu Lahoz’s incorrect call to disallow a Leroy Sane goal, which would have put City 2-0 in front on the night, before Liverpool stormed back in the second half.
Lip-readers working for broadcasters in Spain were analysing Guardiola’s rant towards the referee, claiming he had told Mateu Lahoz to ‘shut your mouth’.
UEFA’s rules state players or coaches must not direct abusive language towards a match official. If Guardiola is found guilty, he could be banned from the touchline for two matches.
Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 quoted Guardiola as saying: ‘It’s a penalty. Look at it on the TV. It’s a goal and a penalty. Shut your mouth. It’s a goal and a penalty.’
The Catalan is already due a one-match automatic ban incurred by his dismissal during the game.
He was sent to the stands for telling the referee to ‘shut his mouth’ on stroke of half-time
Guardiola then continued to communicate with his bench after being sent to the Etihad stands
UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body will hear Guardiola’s case on May 31 and any suspensions will be carried over into next season’s competition, which City have already guaranteed a place in.
Guardiola denies he insulted Mateu Lahoz. ‘I said it was a goal when the ball was passed to Leroy Sane,’ he said. ‘That’s why he sent me off.’
City were also frustrated that Raheem Sterling was denied a penalty when brought down by Andy Robertson.
‘I said he (the referee) was wrong,’ Guardiola added. ‘I didn’t insult him. I just said it was a penalty and it was a goal.’
The ban would see Guardiola sit in the stands for City’s first three European games next season
He is also likely to receive a fine for communicating with the bench, with images from Tuesday night showing Guardiola turning around from his seat in the directors’ box to speak with club video analyst Carles Planchart.
Sergio Aguero was brought on as a substitute shortly after the pair were seen speaking in the 65th minute of City’s 3-0 defeat.
Liverpool also face two UEFA charges, with the semi-finalists’ fans accused of setting off fireworks and the throwing of objects for the second time in a week.
The Anfield club faced further charges of acts of damage and crowd disturbances before the first leg. Their case will also be held on May 31.