Premier League champions Manchester City have been fined 1.08 million pounds for repeatedly breaching regulations related to delayed kickoffs and restarts.
The breaches, which occurred on nine separate occasions, mark the second consecutive season City have been sanctioned for similar offences. The club was previously fined 2 million pounds in 2023.
According to the Premier League, the rules governing the timing of kickoffs and match restarts are in place to “ensure the highest professional standards across the competition” and maintain broadcast scheduling integrity.
“Rules relating to kickoffs and restarts help ensure the organisation of the competition is set at the highest possible professional standard and provides certainty to fans and participating clubs,” the Premier League said in a statement. “It also ensures the broadcast of every Premier League match is kept to schedule.”
The 1.08 million pounds in fines relate to delays in the following matches:
Home fixtures against Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, West Ham United, and Newcastle United
Away fixtures at Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Ipswich Town
The longest delays recorded were both two minutes and 22 seconds, during restarts against West Ham and Ipswich.
City have accepted the sanctions and issued an apology, noting that players and staff have been reminded of their responsibilities regarding match punctuality.
Context amid larger scrutiny
The timing-related fines come amid a broader backdrop of regulatory scrutiny facing Manchester City. The club is still awaiting the outcome of 115 separate charges related to alleged Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches, covering a period from 2009 to the 2022–23 season. City have consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with those charges.
While the delayed restart violations are considered administrative rather than competitive infractions, repeated breaches underscore the Premier League’s emphasis on enforcing operational discipline – particularly in the era of global broadcasting and tight scheduling.
