Man City Fined £2 Million for Delayed Kick-Offs

Manchester City has incurred a £2.09 million ($2.68 million, 2.48 million euros) fine from the Premier League for 22 cases of delaying the start or resumption of matches. The club has acknowledged the penalty, which is a result of rule violations over the last two seasons, as confirmed by the league. It should be noted that this matter is separate from the 115 charges that City is currently facing for purported violations of the Premier League's financial regulations.

A Premier League statement said: "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 have been punished on a sliding scale for each offence.

Their first, a delay of one minute and 18 seconds to the start of the second half against Crystal Palace in August 2022, led to a warning.

But fines ranging from £10,000 to £200,000 have 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 record fourth successive English title.

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

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

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City have not commented directly but the ruling said: "The club has apologised 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."

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)