Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola cleared for Arsenal cup final
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be on the touchline for the League Cup final against Arsenal on 22 March despite incurring an automatic suspension for his sixth yellow card of the season.
The City manager received his latest booking during a 3-1 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Under standard regulations, technical area occupants are handed a two-match touchline ban upon reaching six disciplinary cautions.
FA exemption explains Wembley reprieve
Specific Football Association guidelines state that major domestic finals are explicitly exempt from automatic accumulation suspensions.
This regulatory loophole guarantees Mikel Arteta will face his former mentor in the Wembley dugouts next month.
The north London outfit are currently navigating a chaotic and season-defining schedule across multiple elite competitions.
The Premier League leaders travel to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Crucial weeks await title contenders
They have also secured an FA Cup quarter-final berth following a narrow fifth-round victory over Mansfield Town.
Meanwhile, the reigning champions’ boss earned his recent caution after protesting a perceived foul by Kieran Trippier on winger Jeremy Doku.
He will still be required to serve his domestic suspension during an upcoming league fixture against West Ham.
The serial winner has chosen to take a highly sarcastic view of his growing disciplinary record.
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.
Pep Guardiola
