Man City fined over £1m for repeated Premier League kick-off delays

Manchester City fined £1.08 million by the Premier League for repeated kick-off rule breaches during last season, admitting fault and issuing apology

[dropcap]K[/dropcap]ick-off rule breach has again cost Manchester City dearly, as the Premier League has fined the club £1.08 million for repeated delays during nine matches last season.

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The decision was confirmed on Thursday, following an investigation into incidents that occurred between October and February.

Officials stated that the club, under manager Pep Guardiola, had consistently breached matchday regulations concerning punctual starts and restart timings.

The most serious violation took place during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford in December, where the second half resumed two minutes and 24 seconds behind schedule.

The Premier League confirmed that Manchester City accepted the findings and issued an apology for the delays.

In a statement, the league emphasised the importance of these rules in maintaining the integrity and organisation of its fixtures.

“It also ensures the broadcast of every Premier League match is kept to schedule,” the statement noted.

This is not the first time the reigning English champions have faced consequences for time-related infractions. Last year, the club was fined over £2 million for 22 separate breaches of similar nature, pointing to a pattern of disregard for timekeeping standards.

Despite their strong reputation, City’s dominance waned last season. They ended their campaign in third place, bringing an end to their four-year hold on the title.

Additionally, the team experienced a shock defeat in the FA Cup final at the hands of Crystal Palace, adding to a challenging year for the Manchester side.

At present, Manchester City are competing in the Club World Cup in the United States, while back home, scrutiny over their adherence to league protocols continues to mount.

The Premier League reiterated its commitment to enforcing its rules to uphold professionalism across all clubs.

While City have accepted responsibility, critics suggest stricter internal discipline is needed to avoid repeated sanctions.

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The financial penalty may not significantly affect a club of City’s stature, but the reputational damage could linger if further breaches arise.

Oreoluwa Ojelabi

Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.