Why is Pep Guardiola allowed on touchline vs Arsenal despite two-match ban? – The Mirror<\/title><meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pep Guardiola will face old foe Mikel Arteta in the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday afternoon\"\/><meta name=\"author\" content=\"Abbie Meehan\"\/><link rel=\"manifest\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/manifest.json?v=6f7ed9d5128d770b\"\/><meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noarchive, max-image-preview:large\"\/><meta name=\"Googlebot-News\" content=\"noarchive\"\/><meta name=\"referrer\" content=\"unsafe-URL\"\/><meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"Manchester City FC, Arsenal FC, Carabao Cup, Premier League\"\/><meta name=\"news_keywords\" content=\"Manchester City FC, Arsenal FC, Carabao Cup, Premier League\"\/><link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/pep-guardiola-man-city-arsenal-36885102\"\/><meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Pep Guardiola's two-match ban explained as boss in dugout for Arsenal clash\"\/><meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Pep Guardiola will face old foe Mikel Arteta in the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday afternoon\"\/><meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/pep-guardiola-man-city-arsenal-36885102\"\/><meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Daily Mirror\"\/><meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\"\/><meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36885113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200d\/1_GettyImages-2187034471.jpg\"\/><meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"\/><meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-22T12:00:00Z\"\/><meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-18T09:06:19Z\"\/><meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/abbiemeehannews\"\/><meta property=\"article:section\" content=\"News\"\/><meta property=\"article:tag\" content=\"Manchester City FC\"\/><meta property=\"article:tag\" content=\"Arsenal FC\"\/><meta property=\"article:tag\" content=\"Carabao Cup\"\/><meta property=\"article:tag\" content=\"Premier League\"\/><meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\"\/><meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@DailyMirror\"\/><meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@abbie_meehan7\"\/><meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Pep Guardiola's two-match ban explained as boss in dugout for Arsenal clash\"\/><meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Pep Guardiola will face old foe Mikel Arteta in the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday afternoon\"\/><meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36885113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200\/1_GettyImages-2187034471.jpg\"\/><link rel=\"shortcut icon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/nav-web-static\/main-81dca49cf112035fcbd57aa068f4f3a97c48eb0f\/public\/assets\/mirror\/favicon.ico\"\/><template id=\"B:0\"\/><\/head><body class=\"__className_1bc197 \" id=\"wp_automatic_ReadabilityBody\"><main class=\"MainWrapper_main__SxbuQ\" id=\"main-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"NeedToKnowTemplate_wrapper__KqbPM\">\n<div class=\"NeedToKnowTemplate_inner-wrapper__WsEIl\">\n<nav class=\"Breadcrumb_breadcrumb-nav__xTgNR\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"NeedToKnowTemplate_page-label__p5uqb\">Need to know<\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_060b91\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Pep Guardiola will face old foe Mikel Arteta in the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday afternoon<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36885113\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024\/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester City and Feyenoord at City of Manchester Stadium on November 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. \" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36885113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_GettyImages-2187034471.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36885113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_GettyImages-2187034471.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36885113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_GettyImages-2187034471.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36885113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_GettyImages-2187034471.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Pep Guardiola will be in the dugout on Sunday\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Pep Guardiola will be in the dugout on Sunday<cite aria-label=\"Image: Carl Recine\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Carl Recine\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs __className_b53868\"><em>The reason why Pep Guardiola will be on the touchline vs Arsenal despite ban<\/em><\/h3>\n<ol class=\"NumberedList_numbered-list__oytz_ NumberedList_need-to-know__DgNyL\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"ordered-list\">\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Why was Pep Guardiola banned?:<\/strong> Guardiola triggered an automatic two-match suspension after receiving his sixth booking of the 2025\/26 domestic season. This occurred after he confronted fourth official Lewis Smith over a perceived foul on J\u00e9r\u00e9my Doku.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Reason why he can be in the dugout against Arsenal:<\/strong> Unlike player suspensions, which are typically cross-competition in domestic football, managerial touchline bans under current FA regulations are competition-specific for cup finals. The Carabao Cup final is treated as a ‘stand-alone’ showpiece event regarding disciplinary sanctions for coaching staff.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Where will the ban be served?:<\/strong> The two-match ban applies specifically to the Premier League and the FA Cup. Guardiola already served the first part of his suspension during the 1-1 draw against West Ham on March 14. The second game of the ban will be served during Manchester City\u2019s upcoming FA Cup quarter-final in April rather than the cup final.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Carabao Cup final date and time:<\/strong> The first cup final of the 2025\/26 season will take place at 4.30pm on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The match between City and Arsenal will take place at Wembley Stadium.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">UK TV channel:<\/strong> The match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. <sup\/>Coverage starts at 3.30pm.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Live stream:<\/strong> You can watch the game on the Sky Go app, available for Sky Sports subscribers on mobile, tablet, and laptop. Viewers can also tune in on NOW TV via a Day or Month Membership on the NOW app or website.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">How to watch in the US:<\/strong> The match will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+. Coverage typically begins 30 minutes before kick-off.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Team news:<\/strong> Arsenal are monitoring the fitness of Bukayo Saka, while Manchester City remain without long-term injured Josko Gvardiol but will have Erling Haaland in the starting lineup.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Head-to-head record:<\/strong> This is the 215th meeting between the sides. Arsenal lead the all-time record with 100 wins, compared to Manchester City\u2019s 65, with 49 draws. <sup\/>In their most recent encounter in September 2025, the teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS HERE: Clubs ‘contact Premier League bosses’ after Chelsea avoid points deduction<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<section data-testid=\"social-follow\" class=\"SocialFollowBar_wrapper__h4k_D SocialFollowBar_left__oJoLE false undefined\">Follow mirror:<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"RHRBlock_h-line__hVhY7\"\/>\n<aside class=\"RHRBlock_right-aside-wrapper__tM2wc\">\n<p><span aria-live=\"polite\" aria-busy=\"true\"><span class=\"react-loading-skeleton\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;--base-color:#88888810;--highlight-color:#8888880d\">\u200c<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span aria-live=\"polite\" aria-busy=\"true\"><span class=\"react-loading-skeleton\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;--base-color:#88888810;--highlight-color:#8888880d\">\u200c<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><dialog class=\"CIPAConsentNotice_cipa-dialog__CZfBH\" data-testid=\"cipa-dialog\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"CIPAConsentNotice_cipa-logo__zLA_w\"><img alt=\"reach logo\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"150\" height=\"39\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image?url=%2Fnav-web-static%2Fmain-81dca49cf112035fcbd57aa068f4f3a97c48eb0f%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Flogo-reach.18f672b1.png&w=256&q=75 1x, \/_next\/image?url=%2Fnav-web-static%2Fmain-81dca49cf112035fcbd57aa068f4f3a97c48eb0f%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Flogo-reach.18f672b1.png&w=384&q=75 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/_next\/image?url=%2Fnav-web-static%2Fmain-81dca49cf112035fcbd57aa068f4f3a97c48eb0f%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Flogo-reach.18f672b1.png&w=384&q=75\"\/><\/div>\n<p class=\"CIPAConsentNotice_cipa-info__pwt6J\">At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"CIPAConsentNotice_cipa-accept-button__FqBb6\" data-testid=\"cipa-accept-button\">Accept<\/button><\/dialog><\/body><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why is Pep Guardiola allowed on touchline vs Arsenal despite two-match ban? – The Mirror<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2000,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1999"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1999\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}