Manchester City fined for late Europa League kick-off

Manchester City have been fined 30,000 euros (£24,740) by Uefa for delaying the start of the second half of their Europa League last 16 first leg with Sporting Lisbon last month, European football's governing body have confirmed.

City were punished by Uefa's disciplinary committee for returning late to the field following half-time in the March 8 match at the Jose Alvalade stadium, which Sporting won 1-0.

A Uefa spokesman confirmed they had informed City of the punishment today and that the Barclays Premier League side had three days to appeal against the fine.

The punishment comes a week after another Portuguese club, Porto, were fined £16,700 by Uefa for their fans' racial abuse of City players in the same competition in February.

City pair Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure were both subjected to monkey taunts during a last-32 game at the Estadio do Dragao, prompting a complaint from the English club.

City went on to beat Porto 6-1 on aggregate to set up the tie with Lisbon.

They were beaten by a goal from Brazilian Xandao in the Portuguese capital on March 8 before being knocked out on away goals after a 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium the following week.

PA