Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will face no action from the Football Association (FA) following his much-talked-about celebration against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
City kept up pace with Premier League table-toppers Arsenal with a resounding 4-1 victory over the Reds as goals from Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish did the damage after Mohamed Salah opened the scoring. It was one-way traffic following that 17th-minute strike.
Deputising for injured goal machine Erling Haaland - who was not risked for the showdown - Alvarez got his side back on level terms 10 minutes later and it was his goal that prompted the flashpoint. Guardiola cheekily celebrated right in front of Liverpool substitute Kostas Tsimikas.
READ MORE: How dressing room views title race
Tsimikas was making his way back into the dugout when the Catalan stepped in his way as he made it clear what the equaliser meant. Liverpool midfielder Arthur was also involved as Guardiola shook his hand.
In the aftermath, some observers suggested the City manager had taken his celebration too far, while it was argued he might have even breached FA Rule E3 - which states that participants must not "act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute" during matches.
Ultimately, there will be no FA charges made. Guardiola has already defended his actions.
Addressing the moment during his press conference, the 52-year-old said: "I was happy and I said; 'How nice was our goal'? That's all. Of course [he was having fun], come on."
Guardiola added: "I'm so sorry. Speak with Tsimikas. Speak with Arthur for a lack of respect. Ask them if I lack respect. I celebrated the goal.
"I celebrate with my son on the floor and I come here and I say; 'The goal was nice, wasn't it'? That's all. I'm so sorry. Do you think it was a lack of respect? I'm sorry."
MORE TO READ:
