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Guardiola warned by FA over referee comments
LONDON, Nov 21, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was
formally warned by the Football Association on Wednesday over comments he
made about referee Anthony Taylor before the Manchester derby.
Guardiola went against FA rules by discussing the suitability of the
appointment of the official, who is from a Manchester suburb, for the clash.
Although Guardiola backed Taylor and dismissed accusations of potential
bias, managers are not permitted to talk about referees ahead of matches.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was fined o50,000 ($64,000) in
November 2016 for talking about Taylor ahead of a clash with Liverpool but he
was already on notice, having previously been warned for a similar offence
while Chelsea manager.
Because this was Guardiola’s first such offence, and because the nature of
his comments was regarded as largely neutral, it is understood a charge was
not deemed necessary.
Guardiola said: “The referee doesn’t want to make a mistake because he
knows everybody around the world is going to watch him. If he is a fan of
United or City — everybody can be a fan of whoever he wants so no problem.”
Taylor was widely praised for his performance in the match earlier this
month, which Premier League leaders City won 3-1.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 2115 hrs