The Premier League has imposed a fine of over one million pounds on Manchester City for breaching the rules around delayed kickoffs and restarts nine times last season, England’s top-flight league said on Thursday.

The fine comes a year after City paid two million pounds ($2.56 million) to the league for breaching the same game-delay rules.

The club has apologised for the rule breaches and has said that it has reminded its players and staff of their responsibilities in complying with the rules.

What did the Premier League say?

“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,” the league said in a statement.

“It also ensures the broadcast of every Premier League match is kept to schedule.”

For which matches has Man City been fined?

Fines totalling 1.08 million pounds were imposed relating to City’s home games against Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, West Ham United and Newcastle United and their away fixtures against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town.

The longest game delays were two minutes and 22 seconds each for restarts vs West Ham and Ipswich.

City is awaiting the verdict of 115 un charges of alleged breaches of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

The charges cover a period starting from 2009 and continuing into the 2022-23 season. City has always denied any wrongdoing.

(inputs from Reuters)