PEP Guardiola has been banned for Manchester City’s first Champions League game next term after coming on to the Etihad pitch to confront the referee against Liverpool.
But the Merseysiders have escaped with little more than a slapped wrist for their fan behaviour at THREE games in last season’s competition.
Guardiola blew his stack at Spanish whistler Antonio Mateu Lahoz after Leroy Sane’s “goal” just before half-time in the quarter-final second leg was wrongly ruled offside.
The Catalan stalked onto the pitch to confront the official and was promptly sent to the stands.
Guardiola was charged by Uefa with “improper conduct” for his behaviour and has now been handed a two-game ban for next term.
One of those games has been suspended for one year but it means Guardiola will not be allowed any access to his players for the opening group match next season.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have avoided serious sanctions for the behaviour of their fans before the first leg at Anfield.
Guardiola was furious with Liverpool and Merseyside police after the City coach came under sustained attack on the way into Anfield.
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Liverpool faced four charges arising from the match – setting off fireworks, throwing objects, damage and crowd disturbances.
But they were fined just £17,500 for the four offences.
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The Anfield side were also charged for fireworks and throwing objects in the second leg at City and for setting off fireworks in the second leg of their semi-final with Roma, adding another £8,000 to their fine total.
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