NEWCASTLE, England — Pep Guardiola has said he’s expecting a two-game touchline ban after raging at the officials during Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.
City secured their place in the quarterfinals with an impressive victory at St James’ Park.
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Guardiola was booked during the game after protesting referee Sam Barrott’s decision not to award a free kick after a tussle between Jérémy Doku and Kieran Trippier.
It was Guardiola’s sixth yellow card of the season. And after already serving a touchline ban for the FA Cup third-round tie against Exeter City, he’s set for another longer suspension.
“When Jeremy Doku dribbles Trippier and goes alone to the box and is being pulled from behind, I’m not asking for a yellow card but it’s a foul,” said Guardiola.
“I will defend my team. I will tell you something. We have all the records in this country, all of them, despite everything.
“We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards.
“I want all the records and now I have it. Two game ban now and I will go on holidays the next two games.
“Oh my god. Oh my god. There are things after 10 years I cannot understand. Review the action.
“Of course I’m going to defend Doku and all my teams. They continue to do it.”
If Guardiola is hit with a two-game suspension, he would miss the Premier League clash against West Ham and the FA Cup quarterfinal.
Barrott was also the referee for City’s 2-1 league defeat against Newcastle in November when Guardiola was furious that a penalty was not awarded after a challenge from Fabian Schär on Phil Foden.
“In the first one [in November] we could not win for the quality of Newcastle and for a reason that is better not to remember and today was on the pitch as well,” said Guardiola, in what appeared to be a pointed barb at the official.
