Manchester City Faces Hefty Penalty
Manchester City has incurred a penalty exceeding £1 million (approximately $1.34 million) due to a series of infractions concerning their responsibilities related to match kick-offs and restarts during the 2024-25 season. The club acknowledged and expressed regret for violating Premier League rule L.33 on nine separate occasions, leading to an escalating fine, ultimately summing to £1.03 million ($1.38 million) across these incidents.
Previous Infractions and Penalties
This recent penalty comes a year after the team faced a hefty fine of more than £2 million for an even larger number of infractions—22 in total—committed throughout two seasons, including eight in 2022-23 and 14 in 2023-24.
Importance of Adhering to Punctuality
The Premier League emphasized the significance of punctuality in kick-off and restart procedures, noting, “Adhering to these rules is essential to maintain the league’s professional standards and to provide predictability for fans and clubs alike.”
This adherence also facilitates the timely broadcasting of matches, which are a vital aspect of the league’s revenue and reputation.
Specific Incidents of Delay
The recent violations pertained to delays during several specific matches, including home games against prominent teams like Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham United, West Ham United, and Newcastle United, as well as away fixtures at clubs such as Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
A notable incident occurred during the game against Manchester United on December 15, 2024, where delays in the kick-off and the resumption of play after halftime accumulated to a total of three minutes and 42 seconds.
According to a sanction agreement released by the Premier League, Manchester City is obliged to pay the fine within a 14-day timeframe.
