Pep Guardiola will serve a two-match touchline ban after receiving his sixth yellow card of the season during Manchester City's Premier League match against Newcastle United. The suspension applies to the upcoming league fixture at West Ham and the FA Cup quarter-final, but not the Carabao Cup final.
The incident occurred when Guardiola protested referee Sam Barrott's decision not to award a free-kick after Jeremy Doku was challenged. Former referee Keith Hackett suggested Guardiola was aware of the disciplinary rules, stating, 'If Guardiola is unaware, someone at Man City might have whispered in his ear... There's a cynical element within the game, and Guardiola is making a point.'
Guardiola himself acknowledged the ban, saying, 'We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I have always wanted this record and now I have it. Two games banned now and I will go on holiday.' He also expressed frustration over the lack of protection for his players, particularly Doku.
This is not Guardiola's first suspension this season; he previously served a one-match ban after collecting three yellow cards, missing the FA Cup third-round win over Exeter City.
