By Victor Kanayo
Champions Manchester City have incured a charge by the Football Association (FA) after the club failed to control their players during Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
This was disclosed by the FA in a statement.
FA Statement
Part of the statement reads, “Manchester City have been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 after their players surrounded the match official during the Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur,” the FA said in a statement on Monday.
“It’s alleged that, during the 94th minute of the fixture, the club failed to ensure their players do not behave in way which is improper.”
Similar Previous Behaviour
Similar incidence occurred in February, 2023 when City failed to control their players during a Premier League match against Arsenal.
They were later fined £75,000 by an independent panel.
This time around against Tottenham, several City players surrounded referee Simon Hooper late in the game 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.
Awaiting Response, Table Slip
City have until Thursday to respond to the charge.
After dropping more points, City slipped to third in the league standings.
They are three points behind leaders Arsenal and their next fixture sees them travel to face Aston Villa on Wednesday.
The Pep Guardiola side had drawn with Chelsea and Liverpool earlier in the season.
