‘Late Kick-offs’: Man City Fined Over £1m for Breaking Premier League Rules
English champions Manchester City have been fined a substantial amount exceeding £1 million for failing to adhere to Premier League regulations regarding match kick-off and restart timings during the 2023/24 season.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Premier League, the club breached Rule L.33 in nine separate matches between October 2023 and February 2024. The most significant delay recorded was during the highly anticipated Manchester derby at Old Trafford last December, where the second-half restart was reportedly delayed by two minutes and 24 seconds.
The league confirmed that City accepted responsibility for the infractions and issued a formal apology. A sanction agreement was reached, with the total fine amounting to £1.08 million, payable within 14 days of the agreement’s execution.
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“The rules on kick-off and restart timings are in place to maintain the highest organisational standards of the competition, ensure consistency for fans and broadcasters, and keep matchday operations running smoothly,” the Premier League stated.
This is not the first time the club has faced penalties over similar issues. In 2023, Manchester City were fined over £2 million for 22 breaches of the same rule across two seasons.
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However, Thursday’s sanction is separate from the more high-profile case involving 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations. City has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the ongoing financial investigation.
Despite their dominance on the pitch, the latest disciplinary action adds to a growing list of off-field issues the club must navigate in the coming months.