Pep Guardiola has lamented the Premier League’s strict rules that have led to Manchester City being fined more than £3m for 30 late second-half restarts in the past three seasons, jokingly bemoaning that Burna Boy did not suffer a similar fate after delaying the kick-off in the 2023 Champions League final.
City play at Newcastle on Saturday evening, beginning a hectic schedule in which they will play twice a week until mid-January. They travelled to the north-east on Friday afternoon, leading to a change in routine at the Etihad Campus and an early pre-match press conference in order to comply with Premier League rules and avoid another punitive fee.
Asked how many fines he has previously received, Guardiola said: “A lot. Sometimes I arrive one minute later but the rules are the rules. We are training later and if we train at 12 until 1.30, I cannot be here [at the press conference] in time. The Premier League don’t allow me at 2pm. The club said if I don’t start by 2pm they will fine me or fine the club.
“We paid a lot of money as I’m late at half-time, but when we played in the Champions League final they had a show before the game and they are always late. They have to fine the singers! That is why I decided 9am and the journalists have had their breakfast and will need to take a coffee.”
City brushed aside champions Liverpool in their last Premier League game before the international break. It was an indication that they are ready to challenge for the title after a disappointing campaign last season and are boosted by having only the midfielders Rodri and Mateo Kovacic missing for the trip to St James’ Park. “If we continue the squad fit, we’ll compete every single game and every single competition, I don’t have any doubts about that,” Guardiola said.
Erling Haaland, who helped Norway secure their first World Cup qualification in 28 years this week, is leading City’s pursuit of a seventh title in nine seasons and his next goal will be his 100th in the Premier League.
“He’s incredible this season, he’s breaking all the records, personal and individual records, Premier League records, for Norway,” Guardiola said. “Happy for him, his national team, many of the squad for Norway weren’t even born the last time Norway were in the World Cup.
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“For the country it’s incredible, an incredible qualification scoring a lot of goals. As a football player, world-class player, he deserves to play a World Cup and live the experience. I’m so happy for him.”