Manchester United punished for tardiness in Valencia draw

UEFA fined Manchester United €15,000 on Friday for their late team arrival and kickoff during Valencia’s Champions League visit on Oct. 2.

Jose Mourinho initially blamed Greater Manchester Police for his squad turning up at Old Trafford 45 minutes late, but the local constabulary fired back by saying its risk assessment found the team bus to be under no significant threat of harm. That meant the bus wasn’t granted a police escort for the three-mile trip between Salford’s Lowry Hotel and Old Trafford.

UEFA details United’s punishment as €5,000 for a late arrival and €10,000 for a late kickoff, and also reveals a warning was submitted to Mourinho for the kickoff infraction. Valencia were warned for the late kickoff and a kit infringement and had to pay €1,000 for the setting off of fireworks.

The pair played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw in Stretford and will lock horns again to conclude Group H on Dec. 12.