Manchester City, reigning champions of the Premier League, have been hit with a significant fine exceeding £2 million. The fine comes as a result of the club delaying kick-offs in 22 separate matches over the past two seasons. Let’s delve into the details of what happened and what this means for the club and its fans.

Details of the Fines

The Premier League found Manchester City guilty of delaying the start of matches 22 times, specifically over the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. The delays were primarily at the beginning of the second half of games. The fines for these breaches ranged from £10,000 to £200,000 per incident, with the heaviest penalty being imposed for their final game of the last season against West Ham United.

Significant Incidents

The most notable delay occurred during Manchester City’s final game of the 2022/23 season against West Ham United. The second half of this crucial match, in which City secured their fourth consecutive title, was delayed by two minutes and 46 seconds. Other significant delays included a match against Everton in December 2022, which started two minutes and 33 seconds late, and a home game against Newcastle United in August 2023, which had delays at both the start and the second half.

Premier League’s Statement

The Premier League emphasized the importance of adhering to kick-off schedules. They stated, “Rules relating to kick-offs and re-starts help ensure the organization 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 all 380 League matches around the world is kept to schedule.”

Total Delays

In total, Manchester City was found to have delayed restarts by 39 minutes and 52 seconds across 23 incidents in 22 games. This repeated breach of the rules resulted in the substantial cumulative fine imposed by the Premier League.

Manchester City’s Response

Manchester City has accepted the Premier League’s decision and the sanctions imposed. The club has issued an apology and reminded its players and football management teams of their responsibilities in complying with Rule L.33, which pertains to timely kick-offs. The club is expected to pay the fines within 14 days of the agreement.

For fans and other clubs, it highlights the need for punctuality and the broader implications of delays on match scheduling and broadcasting. As Manchester City moves forward, they will need to ensure strict compliance with these rules to avoid further sanctions.