AC Milan Fined Again for Late Second Half Start as Old Habit Returns

AC Milan have picked up another fine from Italy's Sporting Judge, just three matchdays into the new season, showing that a bad habit from last year has not gone away.

Getting fined for coming out late for kickoff became something of a running joke around Milan last season under Massimiliano Allegri, with the team regularly dinged for delays before both halves. Many assumed a fresh start under new management this year might put an end to it.

That has not proven to be the case. According to MilanVibes, which relayed the official statement from the Sporting Judge, Milan were late emerging for the second half of their most recent match and have now been fined 3,000 euros for a first offense.

For what it's worth, Milan were not even the most heavily fined club for this kind of delay this round. Venezia picked up an even bigger fine, at 4,000 euros.

The official wording of Milan's punishment reads: "[Milan fined €3k] for strict liability, for having unjustifiably caused the start of the second half to be delayed by approximately two minutes."

Given how much the club racked up in fines over the course of last season, seeing this issue crop up again so early is a bit frustrating for fans hoping for a cleaner start under the new setup. It is a habit Milan will want to shake off sooner rather than later.