Manuel Pellegrini will be forced to watch Manchester City’s Champions League decider against Barcelona from the stands at the Nou Camp next month after being hit with a three-match touchline ban by Uefa.
Uefa’s Control and Disciplinary Body has suspended the Chilean following critical comments about the Swedish referee, Jonas Eriksson, in the wake of City’s 2-0 round-of-16 first-leg defeat at the Etihad Stadium last month.
Pellegrini said after the game: “From the beginning I felt the referee was not impartial to both teams. I think it was not a good idea to put a referee from Sweden in such an important match. A big game with two important teams, that kind of game needs a referee with more experience.”
Despite subsequently apologising for his comments, Pellegrini has still been punished by Uefa, although the third game of his ban has been suspended for two years.
A Uefa statement said: “The sanction is due to the coach’s press statements and violation of the general principles of conduct under Article 11 of the 2013 Uefa Disciplinary Regulations (DR) at the Uefa Champions League round-of-16 first leg between Manchester City and FC Barcelona on Feb 18 in England.
“This means that Pellegrini may follow the game from the stands only; he may not enter the dressing room, tunnel or technical area before or during the match; and he may not communicate directly or indirectly with his players and/or technical staff during the game.”
City have yet to decide whether to appeal against the suspension.
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