Guardiola accepts FA charge over yellow ribbon

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has accepted a Football Association (FA) charge for wearing a yellow ribbon, which the governing body deems to be a political symbol and in breach of its regulations.

The Spaniard of Catalan origin displayed the ribbon during his side's FA Cup defeat to Wigan and was previously told by the FA that he had until 18:00 GMT today to respond to the charge. 

Pep had outlined that the reason he wears the yellow ribbon is to stand in solidarity with Catalans imprisoned in the independence movement. 

"Like everybody knows, hopefully sooner or later I can stop wearing it...All the politicians that are in prison, I hope they can leave and go back home soon with their families and continue living the lives they deserve," said Guardiola on the matter.

Whilst UEFA allow Guardiola to wear the ribbon in Champions League games, the FA believe it breaches their pitchside rules. 

"A paper hearing has been requested, with a date to be set in due course," said the FA.