Manchester City have been fined £1.08 million by the Premier League for repeatedly failing to start or restart matches on time during the 2024–25 season.
The reigning English champions were found to have breached timing regulations in nine matches, with the most significant delay — 2 minutes and 24 seconds — occurring before the second half of the Manchester derby in December 2024. The club accepted the charges, issued an apology, and now have 14 days to pay the fine.
It marks a second consecutive season of sanctions for time-related offences. City were previously fined £2.09 million for delaying kick-offs or second halves in 22 games during the 2023–24 campaign. In response to that earlier fine, manager Pep Guardiola vowed to shorten his half-time team talks.
In a statement, the Premier League said:
“Rules relating to kick-offs 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. It also ensures the broadcast of every Premier League match is kept to schedule.”
Despite a difficult 2024–25 season in which City failed to win a major trophy, the club has made progress on this issue, reducing match delays by 59% from the previous year.
Nonetheless, the Premier League’s message remains clear: broadcasters and fans rely on scheduled start times, and clubs must meet those expectations.
City, meanwhile, continue to await a verdict on 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules dating back to 2009–2018.
The case, referred to an independent commission in February 2023 after a four-year investigation, is still pending. The club has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that it has “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” in its defence.
