Manchester City has been hit with a fine of over £2 million for repeatedly delaying Premier League kick-offs and restarts over the past two seasons. The club has accepted that they breached Premier League rules by delaying kick-offs and restarts “without good reason.” In the 2022-23 season, they delayed restarts eight times, resulting in a fine of £390,000. The number of breaches increased to 14 in the 2023-24 season, leading to fines totaling £1.7 million. The start of the second half was delayed 11 times, while the start of the match was delayed four times during this season.
The punishments for these breaches ranged from warnings to the largest sanction of £200,000. This hefty fine was imposed for the longest delay, which saw kick-off delayed by two minutes and 46 seconds in their 3-1 victory over West Ham on May 19, 2024. This victory sealed their fourth consecutive Premier League title on the last day of the season. Another notable incident occurred in their 1-0 home victory over Newcastle on August 19, 2023, where both kick-off and the restart were delayed.
It is worth noting that the majority of these breaches occurred during home matches, with 12 of them taking place at Manchester City’s home ground. The Premier League has stated that the club has apologized for these breaches and has reminded both players and football management teams of their responsibilities.
While some may argue that the fines imposed on Manchester City seem excessive for what may be considered minor infractions, it is important to understand the significance of kick-off times in the global broadcast arena. The Premier League strives to maintain a high professional standard and ensure that the broadcast of all 380 league matches worldwide stays on schedule. Disruptions to the schedule can eventually affect income, which is why the league takes these breaches seriously.
Looking ahead, Manchester City is set to face a Premier League disciplinary commission later this year to address 115 charges of allegedly breaching financial regulations, some of which date back to 2009. These charges include amounts paid to the club by sponsors linked to Abu Dhabi. Manchester City has consistently denied these charges and claims to have a “body of irrefutable evidence” to support their case.
In analyzing this situation, it is worth considering the meticulous attention to detail that is synonymous with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. While the fines imposed on the club may seem exorbitant, it is possible that Guardiola’s focus on every aspect of the game, including kick-off times, comes at a cost. The club is not contesting the fines, but it may be wise for them to have a quiet word with Guardiola to ensure that such breaches do not occur in the future.
In conclusion, Manchester City’s repeated delays in kick-offs and restarts have resulted in substantial fines from the Premier League. While the fines may seem excessive, it is crucial to maintain a high professional standard and ensure the smooth broadcast of matches worldwide. The club’s upcoming disciplinary commission hearing regarding alleged financial breaches will shed further light on their conduct. With Guardiola’s meticulous approach to the game, it is imperative that Manchester City addresses these issues to avoid future penalties.