Julius Okorie
FIFA Club World Cup holders Manchester City have been fined £1million after accepting their punishment for breaching a Premier League rule nine times.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Citizens who are currently competing at the Club World Cup in the US, endured a disappointing domestic season in 2024-25, coming third in the top flight to end their run of four successive titles.
As if that was not enough woes, Pep Guardiola’s side breached a league rule which has seen them come to an agreement with the top flight over the issue.
According to Rule L.33, all teams in the Premier League must kick off, or restart games for the second half in a punctual manner, or be fined.
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Every time a club fails to do this, they receive a fine, with the penalty only increasing for each misdemeanour. This saw City fined £40,000 for their first breach, while their ninth punishment was worth a whopping £190,000.
A Premier League statement read: ‘The Premier League and Manchester City FC have entered into a sanction agreement after the club accepted it had breached Premier League Rule L.33 in relation to kick-off and re-start obligations.
‘The breaches occurred in nine Premier League matches during the 2024/25 season.
‘Rules relating to kick-offs and re-starts help ensure the organisation of the competition is set at the highest possible professional standard and provides certainty to fans and participating clubs.
‘It also ensures the broadcast of every Premier League match is kept to schedule.’
City’s 2-1 Manchester derby defeat by Man United at the Etihad last December was among the club’s rule breaches.
The Premier League went on to confirm that City had ‘apologised for the breaches’ and they are said to have reminded players and staff to adhere to the rule.
This is not the first time that Guardiola’s side have fallen foul of the rules, with the club fined £2.09million for repeatedly coming out late for both the start of matches and after half-time.
City breached top flight rules on 22 occasions in 2023-24, with their violations described as being ‘without good reason’.
Meanwhile, City still face 130 charges relating to alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play, with the case looming in the background.
They are accused of a number of offences over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018 including failing to provide accurate details on player and manager contracts, failing to provide accurate financial information and failing to co-operate with the Premier League’s subsequent investigation. City interestingly have always denied any wrongdoing and the charges.
Should they be found guilty of the more serious alleged breaches, relegation is the most severe punishment possible while the club also risk hefty fines and points deductions, although it is unclear when a verdict will be announce.
Man City, continue their quest for qualification to the next round of the ongoing Club World Cup with a clash against UAE outfit Al-Ain on Monday.
The Pep Guardiola tutored side opened shop in the championship with a 2-0 Moroccan Wydad Casablanca.
With Premiere league rule breaches fine on the table to pay, City will be hoping to do well at the CWC to earn enough to take care of the fines and still have a lot to pocket ahead of next season which kicks off August 15.
Winner of this year’s FIFA Club World Cup is expected to pocket a whopping $40.0 million.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
