Manchester City has been fined more than 2 million pounds ($2.5 million) by the Premier League over 22 instances in which the team delayed the start or restart of matches.
City accepted the sanction, which relates to offences committed over the past two seasons. The matter is linked to the 115 charges the club faces for breaching financial regulations.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Premier League said: “The Premier League and Manchester City FC have reached a sanction agreement after the club accepted that it breached Premier League Rule L.33 relating to its obligations at the start and restart.”
City were punished on a descending scale for each offence. The first was for a delay of one minute and 18 seconds at the start of the second half against Crystal Palace in August 2022 which led to a warning.
They were fined for subsequent offences, the longest of which was two minutes and 46 seconds at the start of the final game of the season against West Ham, as City sealed their fourth consecutive title.
City were fined £200,000 ($256,000) for the breach, their 14th of the season.
The fines amount to £2,090,000.
“The rules relating to the start and restart help ensure that the organisation of the competition remains at a high professional standard and provide certainty for fans and participating clubs,” the Premier League said in a statement.
“It also ensures that the broadcast of the 380 league matches remains on time throughout the world.”
He said City had “apologised and accepted the breaches… and confirmed that it had reminded players and coaching staff of their responsibility to comply with Rule L.33”.
