Manchester City have been sanctioned by the Premier League for delaying kick offs | OneFootball

Manchester City have been fined by the Premier League for breaching Rule L.33 in the Premier League rule book. The rule states that all teams in the Premier League must kick off, or restart games for the second half in a punctual manner. Or else they may be fined.

Manchester City were charged with nine separate breaches of this particular rule during the 24/25 season and fined accordingly as per the statement released by the Premier League yesterday.

Manchester City have apologised and entered a sanction agreement with the Premier League.

As per the Premier League’s statement, Manchester City have received nine fines for their breachs of Rule L.33 in the Premier League rulebook. Each breach and subsequent sanction can be seen below.

26 October 2024: 2 minutes 10 seconds delay to second-half vs Southampton (H), £40,000 fine.

23 November 2024: 1 minute 38 second delay to kick-off vs Tottenham Hotspur (H) – £60,000 fine.

4 December 2024: 1 minute 59 second delay to second-half vs Nottingham Forest (H) – £80,000 fine.

15 December 2024: 1 minute 18 second delay to kick-off and 2 minute 24 second delay to second-half vs Manchester United (H) – £125,000 fine.

21 December 2024: 2 minute 9 second delay to second-half vs Aston Villa (A) – £125,000 fine.

4 January 2025: 2 minute 22 second delay to second-half vs West Ham United (H) – £150,000 fine.

19 January 2025: 2 minute 22 seconds delay to second-half vs Ipswich Town (A) – £210,000 fine.

15 February 2025: 1 minute 42 second delay to second-half vs Newcastle United (H) – £190,000 fine.

As per the Premier League’s statement, Manchester City have apologised for the breaches. The club has also reminded their players and staff of their obligations in regards to this matter.

Final thoughts.

This matter is pretty cut and dry. Manchester City have admitted fault and accepted their punishment. The case is as open and closed as it gets. There is nothing to contest from a legal point of view in this particular instance. The fines that City have received are substantial, but warranted in this case.

Unlike Manchester City’s Associated Party Transaction legal challenge, and the ‘115 case’ there is no real controversy in yesterday’s announcement. The matter has been dealt with and a sanction agreement has even been entered. That closes the chapter on Manchester City’s breach of Premier League Rule L.33. Manchester City were also fined for 22 breaches of Rule L.33 during the 22/23 and 23/24 seasons. On that occasion, the fines City received reached over £2 million.