Pep Guardiola has been handed a two-match touchline ban after accumulating his sixth yellow card of the season, but the Manchester City boss will still be in the dugout for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal
08:13, 08 Mar 2026
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James' Park on March 07, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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Pep Guardiola has received a touchline ban(Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola has been slapped with a two-match touchline ban following his sixth yellow card of the season - however, it won't be enforced for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
The Manchester City boss will be allowed in the dugout at Wembley, as the suspension is solely applicable to Premier League and FA Cup fixtures. This means that Guardiola will be forced to watch from the stands for the Premier League showdown at West Ham next Saturday, as well as the FA Cup quarter-final during the first weekend of April.
The draw for that round takes place on Monday, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool having secured their spots in the last eight.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 7: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City celebrates after the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City on March 7, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Pep Guardiola will serve a two-match touchline ban(Image: Richard Sellers/Allstar, Getty Images)
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However, much to City's relief, Guardiola will be in attendance for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, despite it taking place prior to the FA Cup match. Guardiola humorously suggested that he would take a holiday during the matches he is banned from the technical area after another furious outburst at Newcastle in City's 3-1 FA Cup victory.
The City boss was livid with referee Sam Barrott during the Premier League loss at St James' Park in November and during Saturday's cup win, he was frustrated after Jeremy Doku was denied a foul in the second half.
"When Jeremy Doku dribbles past (Kieran) Trippier and goes alone to the box and is being pulled from behind, I'm not asking for a yellow card but please - it's a foul," he stated.
"I will defend my team. We have all the records in this country -all of them. Despite everything, we have all of them.
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"And we have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I have always wanted this record and now I have it. Two game banned now and I will go on holidays."
As the next question was asked, Guardiola continued: "Oh my god. Oh. My. God. There are things that still after 10 years I cannot understand.
"Review the action, review the action. Of course I'm going to defend Doku, and all my teams. They continue to do it."