Manchester City Fined Over £2m For Kick-off Violations

Manchester City have been fined £2.09m by the Premier League for 22 instances of delaying the kick-off or restart of matches.

The champions have agreed to the sanctions for rule violations from the past two seasons, as confirmed by the league.

This matter is unrelated to the 115 charges that the City is currently facing for purported breaches of the competition’s financial regulations.

The city denies any wrongdoing and is contesting those charges. No verdict has been reached in that case.

A statement from the Premier League read: “The Premier League and Manchester City FC have entered into a sanction agreement after the club accepted it had breached Premier League Rule L.33 relating to kick-off and restart obligations city has been punished on a sliding scale for each offense. Their first, a delay of one minute and 18 seconds to the start of the second half against Crystal Palace in August 2022, incurred a warning.

“Fines ranging from £10,000 to £200,000 have then been imposed for each subsequent breach. The longest delay was two minutes and 46 seconds for the start of the final game of the season against West Ham last season when City clinched a fourth successive title.”

The statement added: “Rules relating to kick-offs and restarts help ensure the organization of the competition is set at the highest possible professional standard and provides certainty to fans and participating clubs.

“It also ensures the broadcast of all 380 League matches around the world is kept to schedule.”

City has not commented directly but the ruling stated: “The club has apologized for the accepted breaches … and confirmed that it has reminded the club’s players and football management teams of their responsibilities in complying with Rule L.33.”