Pep Guardiola Vows to Keep Wearing Yellow Ribbon to Support Catalan Politicians

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said he will continue to wear a yellow ribbon in support of imprisoned and exiled pro-independence Catalan politicians, despite being charged by the Football Association because of it. 

Per the Press Association (h/t Sky Sports), he said after City's 3-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday: 

"Before a manager, I am a human being. I will accept if the FA decide about my behaviour. It's just to be part of something for humanity. That's why I appreciate from Manchester City fans the support.

"They [the FA] know that I'll wear the yellow ribbon always. I can wear it somewhere else, not just on my chest. They know I'll wear it.

"UEFA has another opinion regarding these issues. They say you can wear anything as long as you show it with respect. Here, apparently, it's different."

The FA issued a charge against Guardiola because of the symbol in the days leading up to the final:

However, the Catalan native could be seen wearing the ribbon on the touchline at Wembley Stadium as well as in his press conference, per Rob Harris of the Associated Press:

It is a breach of FA regulations, while UEFA allows the display of political symbols provided they are not offensive.

Ribbons were also handed out to City fans prior to kick-off so supporters could show solidarity to the manager.

Guardiola referenced the four politicians imprisoned in Catalonia following the region's declaration of independence in October—Oriol Junqueras, Joaquim Forn, Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez—along with former regional president Carles Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium with some Cabinet members and risks arrest if he returns to Spain.

"It's about helping the people who didn't do absolutely anything," he added. "They don't have weapons. The weapons that we have is just the vote, the ballot. You did Brexit. You allowed Scotland to have a referendum about if [they] want to stay [in the United Kingdom] or not. And, after, the people vote. That is what they ask and they are in jail right now."

MP Peter Grant supported Guardiola's right to wear the ribbon:

The manager was also questioned by Harris in the press conference as to how he can reconcile his strong stance in relation to the situation in Catalonia with human rights issues in the United Arab Emirates.

City owner Sheikh Mansour is deputy prime minister of the UAE, which "arbitrarily restrict freedoms of expression and association" and "detain, prosecute, convict and imprison government critics," according to Amnesty International (h/t Harris).

Guardiola responded: "Every country decides the way they want to live for themselves. If he decides to live in that [country] it is what it is. I am in a country with democracy installed since years ago and try to protect that situation."

The Independent's Miguel Delaney praised Harris' line of questioning:

The FA initially discussed the issue with Guardiola in December and formally warned him twice before handing out the charge, which was given after he wore the symbol on the touchline in last week's defeat to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

Given his firm stance and defiance of the FA's ruling, the issue is coming to a head after bubbling under the surface in recent months, and he could be hit with a fine or a ban.

Guardiola has until March 5 to respond to the FA's charge, but it appears he has already done so.