'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Pep Guardiola handed Man City ban as Arsenal Carabao Cup final truth explained
Mar 08 2026 08:10 · By Simon Bajkowski/and/Matty Hewitt/Senior Sport Central Audience Writer · 9 Reads
View 2 Images
Pep Guardiola has been handed a two-match touchline ban following a sixth yellow card of the season - but it will not be enforced for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal . The Manchester City boss will be allowed in the dugout at Wembley, as the suspension applies exclusively to Premier League and FA Cup matches.
This means Guardiola will be forced to watch from the stands for the Premier League clash at West Ham next Saturday, as well as the FA Cup quarter-final during the first weekend of April. The draw for that round takes place on Monday, with Chelsea , Arsenal, and Liverpool having booked their places in the last eight.
However, to City's relief, Guardiola will be present for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, despite it occurring before the FA Cup tie. Guardiola suggested in jest that he would take a holiday during the matches he is banned from the technical area after another angry outburst at Newcastle in City's 3-1 FA Cup triumph.
FOLLOW OUR MAN CITY FB PAGE! Follow our Manchester City Mirror Football Facebook page
The City manager was furious with referee Sam Barrott during the Premier League defeat at St James' Park in November, and, on this occasion, became agitated after Jeremy Doku was denied a foul in the second half.
"When Jeremy Doku dribbles past (Kieran) Trippier and goes alone to the box and is being pulled from behind, I'm not asking for a yellow card but please - it's a foul," he said.
View 2 Images
"I will defend my team. We have all the records in this country -all of them. Despite everything, we have all of them.
"And we have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I have always wanted this record and now I have it. Two game banned now and I will go on holidays."
As the subsequent question was posed, Guardiola continued: "Oh my god. Oh. My. God. There are things that still after 10 years I cannot understand.
Don't miss a FREE shop bet inside your favourite racing paper every day of the Cheltenham festival! Plus, get expert inside from our top tipsters with pullouts every day from Tuesday March 10 - Friday March 13, 2026 covering the runners, riders, and everything you need to make the 102nd Cheltenham festival the biggest ever. Find out more here.