Manchester City sanctioned by Premier League for breaking rules

Manchester City have been fined by the Premier League for 22 breaches of kick-off rules across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.

The Premier League have confirmed they have agreed sanctions with City over multiple instances of delaying first and second-half kicks-offs without just cause.

A statement on Wednesday 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 relating to kick-off and re-start obligations.

"The breaches relate to a number of Premier League matches during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.

"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 all 380 League matches around the world is kept to schedule. 

"Click here to read the sanction agreement. As required by the Premier League Rules, the sanction agreement has been ratified by three members of the Independent Judicial Panel."

The rule in question set by the Premier League decrees: "Any Club which without good reason causes to be delayed either the kick-off of a League Match from the time fixed or the re-start after the half-time interval shall be dealt with under the provisions of Section W (Disciplinary) of these Rules."

The Premier League's written reasons reveal City have agreed to a fine of £1.24m for their breaches during the 2023/24 campaign.

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