Leeds United fined over £500,000 for nine Premier League kick-off breaches | OneFootball

Leeds United have been fined more than £500,000 this season after nine breaches of the Premier League’s kick-off and restart rules.

The Premier League confirmed it has entered a sanction agreement with the club after a series of breaches of Rule L.33. The rules are designed to keep professional standards high and maintain broadcast schedules.

Leeds accepted responsibility for delays of between one minute 17 seconds and two minutes 50 seconds across fixtures at Elland Road against Everton, Newcastle United and Fulham, and away at Fulham, Burnley, Brighton and Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Brentford. The Everton home match and the trips to Brighton and Forest saw delays to both the initial kick-off and the restart.

Each offence carries a financial penalty, starting at £10,000 and rising to £100,000 by the eighth transgression. Following the home game against Fulham, which was delayed by just under 90 seconds, the cumulative total reached £530,000.

The club has accepted and apologised for the breaches. Improving compliance with Rule L.33 is now a key objective, with staff and players working towards it.

Under the agreement, any further delay of one minute to one minute 30 seconds will bring a £100,000 fine. Delays beyond 90 seconds will cost £130,000, and those over two minutes £170,000. Additional cumulative sums of £20,000 apply to each successive breach, with fines capped at £200,000 for delays up to two minutes 30 seconds and £250,000 for those beyond.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk