List of Matches Causing Manchester City’s £1.08M Fine for Kick-Off and Restart Violations

Manchester City were fined over £1.08 million (approximately Rp22 billion) by the Premier League for breaching rules on kick-off and restart punctuality in nine matches during the 2024/2025 season. With the most significant delay occurring during the Manchester derby, how will these violations impact the club’s reputation under Pep Guardiola’s leadership?

Manchester City, the 2023/2024 Premier League champions, faced a challenging 2024/2025 season, including a loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final and failure to advance to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. Beyond on-field struggles, the club is under scrutiny for off-field issues, including 130 pending Financial Fair Play (FFP) allegations. The latest fine pertains to breaches of Premier League Rule L.33, which mandates timely kick-offs and second-half restarts, adding to questions about the team’s discipline.

These violations occurred between October 2024 and February 2025, totaling 18 minutes and 53 seconds of delays across nine matches. The longest delay was recorded during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford in December 2024, with a second-half restart delayed by 2 minutes and 24 seconds.

The following is a list of the nine Manchester City matches that violated Rule L.33 during the 2024/2025 season, based on official Premier League reports:

1. Vs. Manchester United (December 2024, Old Trafford): Second-half restart delayed by 2 minutes 24 seconds, resulting in a 2-1 loss (counted as two violations in one match).
2. Vs. Ipswich Town (Away): Second-half restart delayed by 2 minutes 22 seconds, incurring the highest individual fine of £210,000.
3. Vs. Crystal Palace (Away): Delay in initial kick-off, specific duration not disclosed.
4. Vs. West Ham United (Home): Second-half restart delay, specific duration not disclosed.
5. Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Home): Delay in initial kick-off, specific duration not disclosed.
6. Vs. Everton (Away): Second-half restart delay, specific duration not disclosed.
7. Vs. Leicester City (Home): Delay in initial kick-off, specific duration not disclosed.
8. Vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (Away): Second-half restart delay, specific duration not disclosed.
9. Vs. Newcastle United (Home): Second-half restart delay, specific duration not disclosed.

The total fine of £1.08 million was imposed, with penalties ranging from £10,000 to £210,000 per violation. Manchester City acknowledged the breaches, issued an apology, and confirmed they have reminded players and management of their responsibilities.

This is not Manchester City’s first penalty for such infractions. In the summer of 2024, the club was fined £2.09 million (approximately Rp43.6 billion) for 22 similar violations during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons, with the longest delay of 2 minutes 46 seconds against West Ham United in May 2024. Although the number of violations dropped from 22 to nine, the recurring issue continues to draw criticism regarding the team’s professionalism.

The Premier League emphasizes that Rule L.33 ensures professional standards and maintains broadcast schedules for 380 matches per season, benefiting fans and global broadcasters. Delays, though brief, disrupt scheduling certainty and viewer experience. Manchester City have 14 days to settle the fine.

Posts on X reveal mixed fan reactions. Some view the fine as minor compared to the ongoing 130 FFP allegations, while others criticize Pep Guardiola for failing to enforce team discipline. Analysts note that while the fine is financially negligible for a club of Manchester City’s stature, repeated violations tarnish their reputation as reigning champions.

With the 2025/2026 Premier League season starting against Bournemouth on August 17, 2025, and a busy schedule in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Manchester City must improve punctuality to avoid further sanctions. Their recent 2-0 victory over Wydad Casablanca in the Club World Cup, led by Tijjani Reijnders’ standout performance, highlights their potential, but off-field issues like these could distract from their objectives.

For comprehensive coverage of the Premier League 2025/2026 schedule and Manchester City’s developments, visit SPORTRIK. Stay informed on The Citizens’ journey in the new season.