Daniel Farke manager of Leeds United during the Birmingham City vs Leeds United fourth round FA Cup match, Premier League badge in inset.
Credit: Imago
Declan Carr
Fri 20 March 2026 18:10, UK
Keith Hackett has backed the Premier League and believes they were right to fine Leeds United.
The Elland Road side has been handed a £530,000 punishment after delaying kick-offs and second-half restarts in nine matches this season.
The Premier League confirmed on 20 March that they have entered into a sanction agreement with the club, with the Whites accepting causing delays without good reason on nine separate occasions.
The former PGMOL chief thinks it is mainly about TV scheduling reasons, which is why the Peacocks have been made an example of.
Leeds are looking to maintain their Premier League status at all costs, so any advantage that they can get will help them out, but it may come at a cost.
MORE LEEDS STORIES
🏟️ LEEDS UNITED MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️
Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live form guides from Elland Road.
Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Whites source
What did Hackett say about Leeds fine?
Hackett recently spoke out about decisions against Leeds, but believes that it is mostly for television purposes, that the Yorkshire side have been punished the way they have this time around.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, he said: “I have expressed before the importance of kicking off both halves of the game on time.
Delays have an impact on television schedules around the world, television contributes a huge amount of income into the game.
Date Game Delay Length Sanction
18 August 2025 Leeds United vs Everton Kick-off and restart Kick off: two minutesRestart: two minutes and 25 seconds £10,000
30 August 2025 Leeds United vs Newcastle Kick-off One minute and 24 seconds £10,000
13 September 2025 Fulham vs Leeds United Restart One minute and 17 seconds £20,000
18 October 2025 Burnley vs Leeds United Kick-off Two minutes and 50 seconds £20,000
1 November 2025 Brighton vs Leeds United Kick-off and restart Kick off: one minute and 45 secondsRestart: two minutes and one second £75,000
9 November 2025 Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Kick-off and restart Kick off: one minute and 54 secondsRestart: one minute and 20 seconds £85,000
29 November 2025 Manchester City vs Leeds United Restart One minute and 30 seconds £90,000
14 December 2025 Brentford vs Leeds United Restart One minute and 30 seconds £100,000
17 January 2026 Leeds United vs Fulham Restart One minute and 27 seconds £120,000
The fines that Leeds have received from the Premier League.
“You will notice on Premier league games that the television company provide at the halfway line a member of their staff to advise the referee to start the game.
“Certainly, when I was the boss of the PGMOL we were fully aware of the importance of not delaying the restarts.
“Television companies operating in the 211 Territories around the world often do not have specialist panels reviewing the match
“When kick off is delayed their screens are blank until the game goes ahead, this will send out a reminder to clubs of their obligation to television companies.”
How much will future breaches cost Leeds?
Leeds are set to incur further fines if they continue to breach kick-off rules.
The terms of the agreement state that it will be a £100,000 fine for any delays between one minute and a minute and a half.
Daniel Farke manager of Leeds United rects to a missed chance during the Leeds United vs Manchester City Premier League match.
Credit: Breaking Media
That penalty will increase to £130,000 if the delays are over 90 seconds, and a £170,000 fine will be applied if they surpass two minutes.
Each successive breach will set the LS11 club back a further £20,000, on top of the fines listed above.