‘Premier League popping champagne corks as Man City finally hit with penalty – it’s phenomenal’
Man City have finally been hit with a penalty by the Premier League after a number of different disputes spilled over in the 2024-25 campaign.
City have been fined £1.08million for repeatedly starting matches late last season.
In the 2024-25 campaign, nine of the Manchester side’s games were delayed at kick-off or half-time – and the club have apologised and accepted the sanction.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s side are still awaiting the outcome of 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, after they were charged in February 2023.
City also clashed with the English top-flight over their Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, which the club say violate competition law.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that City were lucky to get away with only being charged £1million for the new breach.
‘Man City will be frustrated with charges’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness said that the charge will be a frustration for the eight-time Premier League winners, but that there is no excuse.
While they accept the most recent fine, City strongly deny all 115 sanctions for breaching financial rules, with an independent commission still yet to announce their decision on the matter.
Wyness insisted that the Premier League would be “popping champagne” at the fact they have finally hit Man City with a successful charge.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s £1million wasted basically, so it’ll be a frustration as no club would like to lose £1million.
“I’m sure the Premier League were popping champagne corks as they know they’re actually going to get something off of Man City at last. After all this time, they’re going to get a sanction approved.
“For Pep to say that it was his team talks that went on too long. I mean, they should know that there are serious obligations about TV broadcasts and all these things. They’re more than happy to accept the TV money, believe me.
“It’s nothing ridiculous. Every other team has to do it. And quite rightly, it has to be enforced for global broadcasting and the timetable. There’s no excuse.
“I think they’re lucky to have got away with a million pounds, to be honest, because the cost to some of these broadcasters is phenomenal. This would be a first warning.
“I think Pep is going to be aware of it, and it’ll be part of his new sort of turnaround. I think there’s going to be a new Pep, with shorter, sharper team talks at halftime. It’s going to play into the new Pep, so I expect it not to be happening again.”
‘Newcastle make Jack Grealish transfer plan’
Newcastle United are reportedly keeping a close eye on Jack Grealish’s situation at Man City in case they are given encouragement over the deal.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that Newcastle are among the clubs interested in the 29-year-old.
However, the Magpies will reportedly pursue other priority targets before making a move for the England international which could see them miss out as rival interest builds.
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