June 20 – Manchester City have been hit with a £1.08 million fine by the Premier League after failing to kick-off or restart matches on time across nine fixtures last season – with Pep Guardiola’s notoriously long team talks once again under scrutiny.
The most glaring delay came during the Manchester derby in December 2024, when the second half restarted two minutes and 24 seconds late. City, who accepted the breaches and issued an apology, have 14 days to pay up.
They’ve been occupied out in the US for the FIFA Club World Cup, where they opened their account with a convincing 2-0 victory over Moroccan club Wysdad Casablanca.
It’s the second consecutive season that City have been fined over late starts, with £2.09 million paid out last year for 22 offences. Guardiola previously vowed to shorten his dressing-room speeches but seems to have reverted to type.
The Premier League said the regulations were designed to ensure professional standards, operational consistency, and scheduled broadcast delivery. In a statement, it stressed that keeping matches on time is critical to the integrity of the competition and the experience for fans and broadcasters.
The fine comes with City still awaiting a decision on the far more serious matter of 115 alleged financial breaches between 2009 and 2018. That case, referred to an independent commission in 2023 after a four-year investigation, could have significant consequences – though patience from the rest of the world is beginning to wear thin.
City continue to deny all wrongdoing and claim they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” in their defence. They also have spent a reported £30 million on lawyers defending them.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1750437239labto1750437239ofdlr1750437239owedi1750437239sni@g1750437239niwe.1750437239yrrah1750437239