Friday, June 20, 2025 - Manchester City have been fined around £ 1 million after accepting their punishment for breaching a Premier League rule nine times.
Pep Guardiola's side breached a league rule, which has seen
them come to an agreement with the top flight over the issue.
According to Rule L.33, all teams in the Premier League must
kick-off, or restart games for the second half in a punctual manner, or else
they may be fined.
Every time a club fails to do this, they receive a fine,
with the penalty only increasing for each misdemeanour.
This saw City fined £40,000 for their first breach, while
their ninth punishment was worth a whopping £190,000.
A Premier League statement 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 in relation to kick-off and
re-start obligations.
'The breaches occurred in nine Premier League matches during
the 2024/25 season.
'Rules relating to kick-offs and re-starts help ensure the
organisation 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 every Premier League match
is kept to schedule.'
City's 2-1 Manchester derby defeat by Man United at the
Etihad last December was among the club's rule breaches.
The Premier League went on to confirm that City had
'apologised for the breaches' and they are said to have reminded players and
staff to adhere to the rule.
However, this is not the first time that Guardiola's side
have fallen foul of the rules, with the club fined £2.09million for repeatedly
coming out late for both the start of matches and after half-time.
City breached top-flight rules on 22 occasions in 2023-24,
with their violations described as being 'without good reason'.
Meanwhile, City still face 130 charges relating to alleged
breaches of Financial Fair Play, with the case looming in the background.
They are accused of a number of offences over a nine-year
period between 2009 and 2018, including failing to provide accurate details on
player and manager contracts, failing to provide accurate financial information
and failing to co-operate with the Premier League's subsequent
investigation.
City have always denied any wrongdoing and the charges.
Should they be found guilty of the more serious alleged
breaches, relegation is the most severe punishment possible, while the club
also risks hefty fines and points deductions.
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