Guardiola Gets Two-Match Touchline Ban
Last update: March 8, 2026
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola receives a two-match touchline ban after his sixth yellow card of the season...
Pep Guardiola will serve a two-match touchline ban after receiving a yellow card during Manchester City’s FA Cup victory over Newcastle United at St James' Park.
The caution was Guardiola’s sixth of the season and automatically triggered a suspension under the regulations of the Football Association.
The City manager was booked following a heated exchange with fourth official Lewis Smith after an incident involving Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier and City winger Jeremy Doku.
CBI News reports that Trippier had brought down Doku during the match, prompting Guardiola to protest from the touchline. Referee Sam Barrott issued the yellow card shortly afterwards.
Guardiola was also seen applauding sarcastically after Omar Marmoush scored to make it 3–1 during the encounter.
Under the current rules, managers receive a one-match touchline ban after every three yellow cards.
However, new regulations introduced this season state that a sixth caution results in a two-match suspension.
As a result, Guardiola will not be on the touchline when Manchester City face West Ham United in the Premier League next weekend.
He will also miss City’s FA Cup quarter-final scheduled for the first weekend of April.
However, the suspension will not affect the Carabao Cup Final on March 22 between Manchester City and Arsenal.
FA guidelines exempt finals from automatic touchline bans linked to accumulated cautions.
Guardiola will therefore be able to take his place in the dugout for that fixture.
The suspension will also not apply to City’s UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Reacting to the development, Guardiola made light of the situation while defending his actions during the match.
He said: “I will tell you something, we have all the records in this country, all of them, despite everything. We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I want all records and now I have them.
"Two-game ban now and I will go on holidays the next two games. There are things that I cannot understand after 10 years.
"Review the action. Of course, I'm going to defend Doku and all my teams."
