LONDON – 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 £50 000 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.