Pep Guardiola: Why is Man City boss suspended for Lyon Champions League match?

City are bookies’ favourites to claim Europe’s elite club competition, priced at 9/2.

That’s despite Guardiola’s men emphatically losing 5-1 on aggregate to Liverpool in last year’s quarter-final.

The two-leg tie against their cross-city rivals was played in vociferous circumstances, as the Citizens’ team bus was attacked by Liverpool fans ahead of the first leg.

City fans then succumbed to Anfield’s cauldron and conceded three goals in the first half hour, before losing the home leg 2-1.

Why is Pep Guardiola in the stands?

In that second leg against Liverpool, Guardiola took exception to referee Antonio Miguel Lahoz’s decision to disallow Leroy Sane’s goal just before half-time, which replays showed should have stood.

In response to his outburst, Lahoz sent Guardiola to the stands for the next 45, where managers are allowed no communication with their technical area.

The Catalan influenced a substitution, however, and was subsequently issued a one-match touchline ban by UEFA for that offence as well as making abusive comments to a referee.

Why didn’t Pep Guardiola attend his pre-match press conference?

Suspended mangers have the choice of whether to attend pre-match press conferences in UEFA competition.

Guardiola delegated that role to assistant manager Mikel Arteta, who will assume touchline authority in his absence.

Guardiola will return to pre-match media duties for City’s next Champions League game against Hoffenheim.

What are Manchester City’s Champions League fixtures?

Sep 19 - Man City vs Lyon - 8pm

Oct 2 - Hoffenheim vs Man City - 5.55pm

Oct 23 - Shakhtar Donetsk vs Man City - 8pm

Nov 7 - Man City vs Shakhtar Donetsk - 8pm

Nov 27 - Lyon vs Man City - 8pm

Dec 12 - Man City vs Hoffenheim - 8pm