Manchester City, the dominant force in English football for over a decade, finds itself once again under the Premier League's microscope. This time, however, the allegations are not about intricate financial dealings or sponsorship controversies, but something seemingly more mundane: breaches of kick-off timing regulations. Recent reports confirm that City has been hit with a substantial fine of £1.08 million for delaying kick-offs and re-starts on nine separate occasions during the 2024/25 season. While a million-pound fine might seem like a drop in the ocean for a club of City's financial might, these sanctions underscore a deeper tension within the Premier League – a battle between sporting integrity, commercial interests, and the relentless demands of a global broadcasting behemoth. This isn't merely a trivial matter of punctuality. It speaks to the meticulous choreography of modern football, where every second is accounted for, and every deviation from the schedule has...
Alexis Sánchez (35) shone in his only season at Olympique de Marseille, scoring 18 goals in 44 games across all competitions. Despite conversations about staying with the club beyond the completion of his one-year contract, the Chilean international eventually returned to Italy to rejoin Inter Milan.
Twelve months, 33 appearances, four goals, and five assists later, Sánchez is once again a free agent after his contract with the Serie A club expired. L'Équipe knows he is currently in talks to return to Marseille on a free transfer this summer. Roberto De Zerbi, OM's new manager, has already spoken with the former Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United forward about a move, and his entourage is interested in the potential of returning to the Vélodrome.However, there are impediments to a deal, particularly financial ones. When he left last summer, it was considered that having both Sánchez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be financially unattainable. Despite interest from Saudi Arabia, the Gabonese striker's continued presence at Les Phocéens may complicate any potential transfer. L'Équipe reports that Udinese, Sánchez's first club in Europe, is also interested in the Chilean.
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