Man City fined £1m for repeatedly delaying kick-off
Premier League champions Manchester City have been hit with a £1 million fine for repeatedly delaying kick-offs during the 2023/24 season. The punishment follows an investigation by the Premier League after several matches involving City were observed to start late, reportedly due to prolonged team huddles and tactical talks led by manager Pep Guardiola.
The league’s regulations require all matches to begin at the scheduled time, with strict pre-match protocols in place to ensure consistency across all fixtures. However, City were found guilty of breaching these timings on numerous occasions, particularly in high-profile matches where delays reportedly lasted up to five minutes.
While City have not contested the ruling, they released a statement expressing their intent to “review internal matchday procedures” and “cooperate fully with the Premier League’s guidance.” The club emphasized that the delays were “unintentional and purely football-related,” stemming from last-minute instructions given to players rather than any deliberate disruption.
This is the first time a Premier League club has received such a substantial financial penalty for repeated late kick-offs, signalling the league’s intent to clamp down on timing violations. Analysts suggest the fine also serves as a message to all top-flight clubs that maintaining broadcast schedules and fairness is essential, particularly given the global audience and commercial commitments.
While £1 million may be a minor setback for City financially, the ruling adds to growing scrutiny around the club’s conduct. Already facing separate investigations over alleged Financial Fair Play breaches, this latest issue adds to a season of both domestic success and regulatory pressure.
City are expected to appeal for leniency or seek clarification on future protocol, but the fine remains a firm reminder that even the most successful clubs are not above league rules.
While £1 million may be a minor setback for City financially, the ruling adds to growing scrutiny around the club’s conduct. Already facing separate investigations over alleged Financial Fair Play breaches, this latest issue adds to a season of both domestic success and regulatory pressure.
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