Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to write to FA to explain reasons for wearing yellow ribbon

Guardiola was charged with wearing a political message last Friday

Pep Guardiola has worn the ribbon in support of Catalonian political prisoners (Getty)

Pep Guardiola will write to the Football Association to explain his reasoning for wearing a yellow ribbon in support of political prisoners in Catalonia.

The Manchester City manager was charged by English football’s governing body last Friday after wearing the political symbol on the touchline during the FA Cup defeat at Wigan Athletic.

Guardiola, who hails from the Catalonian town of Santpedor, wore the ribbon again during Sunday’s EFL Cup final victory over Arsenal though it was concealed underneath his coat for the duration of the match.

After the final whistle at Wembley, the 47-year-old said that he intends to “always” wear the ribbon, claiming: “Before a manager, I am a human being.”

The former Barcelona manager has until 5.00pm on Monday to respond to the charge and ahead of City’s Premier League meeting with Arsenal on Thursday night, he revealed that he intends to write to the FA to explain his position.

“Of course I am going to write a letter and I am going to explain our position,” he said. “I am available for the FA, absolutely, so it is no problem.”

It is understood that Guardiola believes he unwittingly exposed the ribbon during the Wigan game by opening his bomber jacket in the second half. It could not be seen during the first half while his jacket was zipped shut.

Many City supporters wore yellow ribbons at Wembley on Sunday in a show of solidarity for their manager and Guardiola thanked them for their support on the matter.

“The feeling to belong to something, I am really grateful for that initiative. They don’t have to do it. It is another country, yet they did that,” he said.

“That makes me really happy because that makes people understand the situation, what is going on, people in prison in Spain so 100 per cent grateful to them.”