Man City fined £1m for repeatedly delaying kick-off

The Premier League fined Manchester City over £1 million after kicking off or restarting games on a regular basis late last year.

The longest delay occurred before the second half of the Manchester derby in December 2024, which resumed two minutes and 24 seconds later than anticipated. Nine of City’s games last season started or ended late.

The Premier League reported that City had accepted and offered an apology for the errors, and that the fines totaled £1.08 million. They have 14 days to make the payment.

Kick-offs and restarts are described in a Premier League statement as “helping ensure the organization of the competition is conducted to the highest possible professional standard and gives certainty to fans and participating clubs.

Additionally, it makes sure every Premier League game is broadcast on time.

On 115 alleged financial violations of the Premier League’s financial rules, City are awaiting a verdict.

Following a four-year investigation, City were charged and sent to an independent commission in February 2023.

Between 2009 and 2018, it is claimed that City broke its financial regulations.

Manchester City have made an effort to improve their standing in this regard, and they say they will continue to do so.

The team’s last season was a challenging one because they failed to capture a significant trophy in every category and Guardiola would have needed extra time to prepare for his remarks and relay messages. As a result, the team was late arriving on time as required by the Premier League.

The Premier League’s position is fairly unambiguous. Broadcasters pay billions of pounds for the rights to screen matches, and part of the deal is knowing when they will most likely end.

Not every circumstance can be taken into account when a player is injured. However, the half-time break and kick-off time can be controlled.

City claim that the past was a difficult season, which is accurate. However, Southampton made no changes after winning the game in October when they were still unbeaten and in the lead at half-time. However, they were still two minutes and ten seconds behind the start of the game.

Guardiola and his staff seem sympathetic when they say they are overreaching because of how absorbed they are in the messages they deliver.