Manuel Pellegrini has been handed a two match ban by UEFA for remarks Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat to Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month.
In an uncharacteristic outburst, Pellegrini claimed that match referee Jonas Eriksson was not “impartial” to both sides.
The Chilean will now be banned from the touchline for City’s return leg at the Nou Camp on March 12 and one additional match after that.
He was also handed an further one game ban suspended for two years.
A UEFA statement about the decision explained the decision: “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 (Article 62(1) DR)”.
Pellegrini has the option to appeal the decision.