City receive several slaps on the wrist

MANCHESTER City have been fined ¤18,000 (£15,573) by UEFA for three offences during their Champions League clash with Monaco at the Etihad last month.

City have been found guilty of charges relating to a pitch invasion, the throwing of objects and a delayed kick-off during the last-16 first leg on February 21.

The development comes on the same day City accepted a charge of misconduct from the Football Association relating to the conduct of their players in last weekend’s Premier League game against Liverpool.

On a separate issue, the club have also been criticised by the FA in the newly published written reasons for last month’s £35,000 fine for breaching anti-doping regulations.

No further details have been given by UEFA regarding the Monaco incidents, but it is understood a bottle was thrown towards the pitch during City’s 5-3 victory over the Ligue 1 side.

It is also not the first time the club have been punished for delaying a kick-off. In 2012, City were fined for being one minute late during a Europa League game at Sporting Lisbon.

News of UEFA’s fine came soon after the club confirmed they would not contest an FA charge of failing to ensure players conducted themselves in an orderly manner during the 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

The charge related to a protest by City players after Liverpool were awarded a controversial penalty early in the second half following a challenge by Gael Clichy on Roberto Firmino.

City continued to complain to Ashington referee Michael Oliver after James Milner had converted from the spot to give the visitors a 51st-minute lead, delaying the restart of the game.

It was one of a number of talking points in an incident-packed game, with City feeling aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty.

The club were given until Friday to respond to the charge and have indicated they intend to plead guilty. The case will be heard by an independent regulatory commission in due course.

It has also emerged that City failed to heed a written warning sent three weeks before their critical third breach of FA antidoping regulations last year.

City were charged with breaking the FA’s ‘whereabouts’ rules in January and a three-man panel issued a fine in February.

Clubs must provide the FA with accurate information about training sessions and players’ addresses for no-notice tests.