UEFA may fine Guardiola over T-shirt statement

Pep-Guadriola;-Bayern-Munich

Former Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola. (Matthias Schrader/AP)

NYON, Switzerland — Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has been charged by UEFA after he wore a T-shirt to a Champions League news conference that supported a campaign to investigate the death of a journalist at last year’s World Cup.

UEFA said Wednesday that "disciplinary proceedings have been opened" against the Bayern coach for an "incident of non-sporting nature." The case will be dealt with on May 21.

Guardiola wore the T-shirt Monday ahead of Bayern’s quarterfinals, second-leg match against Porto. It supported a campaign to investigate an Argentine sports journalist’s death in a road traffic accident in Brazil.

Players, coaches and club officials are not allowed "to transmit any message that is not fit for a sports event, in particular if it is of a political, offensive or provocative nature" under UEFA rules.

UEFA says its disciplinary panel will also consider extending a mandatory one-match stadium ban for Porto coach Julen Lopetegui, who was sent from the dugout near the end of Bayern’s 6-1 win on Tuesday.

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