Guardiola charged by FA for Catalan independence ribbon

Описание: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been charged by the Football Association for 'wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon'.The FA said the yellow ribbon worn by the former Barcelona boss on his jacket in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians was in breach of its kit and advertising regulations.Guardiola, whose side face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, has until 6pm on Monday to respond to the charge.He wore the ribbon during Friday's pre-Carabao Cup final press conference.Guardiola has worn the ribbon in support of the imprisoned politicians Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez.They were incarcerated during the row over Catalan independence.It is understood that Guardiola was twice warned by the FA over wearing the yellow ribbon before being charged for wearing it during the game against Wigan.It also emerged on Friday that Guardiola was subjected to a bizarre spot-check when he arrived at Barcelona airport last week, as Spanish police searched his private plane to see if he was smuggling leading Catalan politician, Carles Puigdemont, into the country.Guardiola's plane landed at Barcelona-El Prat airport and after its passengers had disembarked, with the Manchester City manager still on-board, several members of the Guardia Civil police boarded to search the plane.They left shortly after without saying anything to Guardiola.Back in the terminal Guardiola was told the police had been looking for Puigdemont who is currently believed to be in exile in Belgium.Puigdemont served as president of Catalonia up until October 2017 when he led a referendum on Catalan independence from Spain that was declared illegal.He declared unilateral independence after the vote, and the Spanish government responded by imposing direct rule, dismissing Puigdemont, and calling new regional elections.Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia say police sources confirmed to them that the plane search was 'purely routine' and that they were not aware members of Guardiola's family were aboard.Guardiola was born in central Catalonia and has a long association with the region, having both played and managed Catalan club Barcelona.Speaking in December, he said: 'I do that because in Spain two specific people who defend something like the vote, something the people in command do not agree (with), are in prison.It's unfair.'To make a rebellion on something like that, you have to be something tough to be in prison.And they are still there.So, while they are not out, always here (points to ribbon) will be shared with me.'Because, okay, they can suspend me for doing that, but the other people are in jail.'If they want to suspend me — UEFA, Premier League, FIFA — it's okay.' While political messages have been banned for a number of years around football games — which was the cause of the annual poppy controversy with FIFA — UEFA changed their rules this season to only ban offensive messages.The FA did not change their own policy, as they did not consider the p