Soccer

Manchester City fined €140,000 after players surrounded match official

Referee Simon Hooper was approached by several players when he failed to play advantage with a City player through on goal

Manchester City players surround referee Simon Hooper. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Manchester City players surround referee Simon Hooper. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Mon Dec 18 2023 - 16:50

Manchester City have been fined £120,000 pounds (€140,000) by the Football Association after their players surrounded a match official during their dramatic 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League earlier this month.

Several City players surrounded referee Simon Hooper late in the game on December 3 after he stopped play when Jack Grealish was through on goal for a foul on Erling Haaland in the build-up, having previously waved play-on.

"Manchester City FC admitted that they failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way during the 94th minute. An independent Regulatory Commission imposed this sanction following a hearing," the FA said on Monday.

City drew a third successive league match when Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski headed a 90th-minute equaliser after Grealish's 81st-minute goal looked to have secured the win.

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