Man City hit with huge punishment after accepting Premier League rule breaches

Manchester City have been handed a significant punishment after accepting 10 separate Premier League rule breaches.

City have been locked in a legal battle with the Premier League over 115 charges relating to financial rule breaches, with a private hearing into the matter being held in December.

A separate legal matter saw City challenge the legitimacy of the league's Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, which prevent clubs from profiting from commercial deals with companies linked to their owners which are deemed to be above 'fair market value'.

In basic terms, the 2023 Champions League winners claimed victory as the APT rules in their previous form were found to be unenforceable, but the Premier League argued that the decision does not impact the current APT rules as clubs voted them into force in November 2024.

But a lesser-known third case has been playing out between the two parties - with City now accepting that they breached a strict Premier League rule on 10 different occasions during the 2024/25 campaign.

The club breached Rule L33 in relation to kick-off and restart obligations in nine different matches during the season.

It was found that City delayed the beginning of the second half by between one minute and 18 seconds and two minutes and 24 seconds on each occasion.

They have been fined a total of £1.08 million for the 10 breaches, with the highest individual punishment being a £210,000 fine for starting the second half two minutes and 22 seconds late in an away fixture against Ipswich.

Two of the breaches relate to one match - the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United in December - meaning it is classed as a singular breach.

The full list of City's accepted rule breaches (Image: Premier League)

A Premier League statement on the matter reads: "The Premier League and Manchester City have entered into a sanction agreement after the club accepted it had breached Rule L.33 in relation to kick-off and restart obligations.

"The breaches occurred in nine Premier League matches during the 2024/25 season.

"Rules relating to kick-offs and restarts 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 have 'accepted and apologised' for the breaches, the Premier League also state, and have 'reminded the club's players and football management teams of their responsibilities in complying with Rule L.33'.