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Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Mon 11 August 2025 17:45, UK

Man City are unlikely to be responsible for the major delay to kick-off before their friendly against Palermo, according to Keith Hackett.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the organisers are likely to blame for the long delays, therefore, meaning that City should not be punished.

Man City received a punishment due to their time-wasting antics during the 2024/25 season, being handed a £1million fine by the Premier League, with fears that the same could happen for this game.

Once the game eventually kicked off, Erling Haaland‘s 25th-minute strike was the only difference in the first 45 minutes, with the Citizens needing a Tijjani Reijnders brace to put daylight between the sides.

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

With Rodri and Mateo Kovacic’s blows handing Pep Guardiola a headache in midfield, Nico Gonzalez was given a chance to prove himself, while Nico O’Reilly was also moved inside away from full-back.

While it was City’s only friendly since their shock defeat to Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup, it was a convincing win, and one that will fill supporters with hope before facing Wolves on Saturday, 16 August.

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It will also be a relief to hear that the club will not be punished after Football Insider revealed Man City are confident against the 115 charges being levelled at them by the Premier League.

Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the possibility of Man City being fined, saying: “I think because it’s a pre-season friendly, the organisers take on the responsibility of the timing element.

(Credit: Imago)

“It may be that what tends to happen with friendly games is that spectators stay in the pubs a little bit longer, then they turn up at the gates.

“So, I suspect that somewhere along the line, it’s not Manchester City’s fault, and it’s actually up to the organisers, concentrating more on the fans than the TV kick-off time.”

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