July 31, (THEWILL) – The English Premier League has fined Manchester City over £2 million for multiple instances of delayed kick-offs and restarts during the past two seasons. The league announced on Wednesday, that the club had accepted responsibility for breaking rules related to match timings.
The fine covers 22 separate charges against the Manchester club. The Etihad outfit and the EPL reached a settlement agreement regarding these infractions. The exact number of matches affected and the specific dates of the delays were not disclosed in the League’s statement.
The EPL emphasised the importance of adhering to scheduled kick-off times and prompt restarts after halftime. These rules help maintain high professional standards in the competition and provide certainty for fans and participating clubs. Additionally, they ensure that the broadcast of all 380 league matches worldwide remains on schedule.
Man City’s acceptance of the charges and the subsequent fine highlight the EPL’s commitment to enforcing its regulations. The substantial penalty serves as a reminder to all clubs about the significance of punctuality in match proceedings.
The fine comes at a time when City continues to compete at the highest level of English football. While the financial penalty is significant, it is unlikely to have a major impact on the club’s overall operations or performance on the pitch.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.