Manuel Pellegrini has been given a two-match ban by Uefa for claiming referee Jonas Eriksson was “not impartial” during Manchester City’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona, so will have to watch the return leg on March 12th from the stands.

While a further one-game sanction has been suspended for two years, the manager is prevented from entering the dressing room or making any communication with players or staff during the match at the Camp Nou, or the second one. If City are knocked out, the ban will carry over into next season.

Pellegrini made the comments after City’s 2-0 defeat to Barca in last week’s first leg. Despite subsequently apologising, Uefa still found the Chilean guilty.

In a statement the governing body said: “Uefa’s Control and Disciplinary Body has banned Manchester City FC head coach Manuel Pellegrini for three Uefa competition games, one of which is under probation for two years. 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 18 February in England.

“As a result, the City manager will be banned for his team’s round of 16 second leg against Barcelona in Spain on 12 March. 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.”

Given his apology it seems unlikely Pellegrini will appeal.

Guardian Service