Manchester City have been fined £280,000 by the Premier League under two sanction agreements published on Friday 13 November: £260,000 for two more delayed second-half restarts in 2025/26, and £20,000 for staging a Premier League 2 semi-final away from the Etihad Stadium.
Why were City fined for delays?
Premier League Rule L.33 says any club which "without good reason causes to be delayed either the kick-off of a League Match from the time fixed or the re-start after the half-time interval" faces disciplinary action. City accepted breaching it on 10 occasions last season: nine late restarts after half-time and one delayed kick-off, against Burnley in September 2025.
The first eight breaches had already been sanctioned by the Premier League Board, with fines rising from £5,000 for the home game against Manchester United in September 2025 to £100,000 for the Wolves match in January 2026. This agreement covers the last two. City were fined £120,000 for a restart delayed by one minute and nine seconds against Fulham on 11 February, and £140,000 for one of one minute and 13 seconds against Crystal Palace on 13 May.
Each fine combines a £100,000 base penalty for a delay of between one minute and one minute 30 seconds with an extra £20,000 and £40,000 respectively, which the agreement says reflects "the aggravating nature of the Club's repeat offending". Across all 10 breaches City's fines for 2025/26 total £670,000.
The league said the rules ensure "the broadcast of every Premier League match is kept to schedule". It is not the first time: City also entered a sanction agreement over nine such breaches in 2024/25, a penalty AP reported at more than £1 million. The latest agreement was ratified by three members of the Independent Judicial Panel on 20 July 2026.
What happened with the PL2 semi-final?
PL2 Rule 46 requires the home club to play knockout semi-finals and finals at its own stadium. City's semi-final against Manchester United on 8 May 2026 was instead played at the Joie Stadium, with United's agreement, and City lost 4-3.
According to the agreement, City cited ongoing development works at the Etihad, which were "at a critical programme stage and had experienced prior delays", and the suitability of the Joie Stadium as mitigation. As well as the £20,000 fine, City give up home advantage the next time they reach a PL2 knockout semi-final or final. That agreement was ratified on 19 October 2026.
What comes next?
Both agreements require City to pay within 14 days of signing, and the club has confirmed it "will continue to take steps to seek to improve compliance with Rule L.33". On the pitch, City were beaten 1-0 at home by Brighton last month. For more rulings and results, see our Premier League coverage.
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