The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 plus 4 letter word EXTRA TIME
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
E
X
T
R
A
T
I
M
E
More clues leading to the result EXTRA TIME
- Fiddling taximeter — that could lead to penalties!
- Chance to resolve deadlock that prison rioters may be given?
- Taximeter’s misreading that could lead to penalties?
- Taximeter could show several more minutes
- What may be needed to achieve result from faulty taximeter
- . Taximeter running for additional period
- . What examinees may appreciate – what may resolve a tie
- Additional time for actor in crowd, model, and Indian setter
- Bit player facing season in additional play
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "that could lead to penalties!" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case that could lead to penalties! = extra time.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.