Manchester City Fined Over £1m After Premier League Rule Breaches

Manchester City have entered a sanction agreement with the Premier League after acknowledging nine breaches of competition rules during the 2024/25 season.

The violations relate to delays in kick-offs and restarts without justified cause. Each offense resulted in fines ranging from £40,000 to £210,000, accumulating to a total fine of just over £1 million. The club now has two weeks to settle the full amount.

One notable breach took place during the Manchester derby in December, where City delayed kick-off by 78 seconds and a restart by 144 seconds. Additional delays occurred during away fixtures at Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Ipswich.

The Premier League issued a statement saying: “The club has accepted responsibility and apologised. They have reminded their players and coaching staff of their obligations under Rule L.33.”

Importance of Compliance

Premier League officials underlined that timely restarts are essential for maintaining competition integrity and ensuring global broadcasting schedules are adhered to. The sanctions were reviewed and approved by members of the Independent Judicial Panel.

Repeat Offender

City were previously fined £2 million for similar infractions in the 2023/24 season, which involved 22 separate incidents. Though fewer breaches occurred this past season, the club is once again facing a significant financial penalty.

Wider Investigation Ongoing

In the background, City continue to await the verdict of a much larger investigation stemming from charges first raised in February 2022. The case was heard over three months at the end of 2024, but the outcome remains pending, adding to growing frustration among fans and observers.

Throughout the entire process, Manchester City have firmly denied any wrongdoing regarding the broader set of allegations.