City boss Guardiola faces three-match CL ban

Manchester: Pep Guardiola is sweating over the prospect of a three-match touchline ban after he was charged with improper conduct by Uefa following his sending off at half-time of Manchester City’s Champions League exit at Liverpool.

The Spaniard will receive an automatic one-match suspension for his dismissal but the punishment could be extended to include a further two games if he is found to have verbally abused or insulted referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.

Uefa’s control, ethics and disciplinary body is due to hear the case on May 31, with the City coach under threat of having to watch half of his side’s six Champions League group stage games next season from the stands.