Premier League fines Man City for repeated kick-off delays

Manchester City have been fined £1.08 million by the Premier League for repeatedly delaying kick-offs and second-half restarts during the 2024–25 season.

The league confirmed that City were responsible for nine separate breaches, with the most significant occurring during December’s Manchester derby, when the second half resumed two minutes and 24 seconds late.

The club accepted the charge and issued an apology, with a deadline of 14 days to pay the fine. It marks the second consecutive season City have been punished for the same offense; they were fined £2.09 million for 22 delays in the 2023–24 campaign.

Manager Pep Guardiola had previously acknowledged the issue, pledging to keep his half-time team talks shorter.

A statement from the Premier League stressed that punctuality is essential for maintaining the competition’s professional standards and meeting broadcasting commitments.

“Rules relating to kick-offs and restarts help ensure the organization of the competition is set at the highest possible professional standard,” the league said, noting the importance of predictable scheduling for fans and broadcasters alike.

Manchester City, who finished third in the Premier League last season and failed to win a major trophy, acknowledged their struggles with timekeeping but pointed to a 59% reduction in delays compared to the previous year.

Club sources suggested Guardiola needed more time during a difficult campaign to deliver critical tactical instructions.

Despite this improvement, the league’s stance on the matter remains firm. Chief football reporter Simon Stone highlighted that the first breach occurred in October, during a win over Southampton, when City were leading and made no changes, yet still returned to the pitch over two minutes late. “The less kind view is that they pay no attention,” he wrote, suggesting a potential lack of regard for the rules.

This latest sanction arrives amid broader scrutiny of Manchester City’s operations, as they continue to await a verdict on 115 charges relating to alleged financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.

The case, referred to an independent commission in 2023, follows a four-year investigation. City have consistently denied all allegations, maintaining they possess a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support their defence.