Rodri Faces FA Charge Over Referee Comments Following Match Against Spurs

omidbasir- According to BBC Sport, Rodri has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for remarks made concerning refereeing decisions after Manchester City’s recent draw with Tottenham Hotspur. The Spanish international expressed his frustration over the legitimacy of Dominic Solanke’s opening goal, which he believed was scored unfairly due to an apparent foul on Marc Guehi.

In the aftermath, Rodri criticized the decision, stating, “I know we win too often and people don’t want us to succeed, but the referee must remain neutral. It’s unjust because we work incredibly hard. After the match concludes, the frustration sets in.”

Solanke later scored a spectacular second goal with a scorpion kick, but Rodri felt that the first goal was a crucial turning point in the match. “It was their first goal; perhaps if that hadn’t been allowed, we would have won the game,” he reflected. He also expressed concerns about a recurring pattern of questionable officiating decisions, noting, “This has happened in one game after another, and it cannot continue.”

Rodri emphasized his respect for match officials, saying, “Honestly, I rarely comment on referees because I respect their role greatly. Yet, they must pay attention to these incidents. It’s evident that he (Solanke) kicked the leg… This has occurred two or three games in a row, and I cannot comprehend why.”

The FA has indicated that Rodri acted improperly during a post-match media interview by making comments that suggest bias or question the integrity of match officials. He has until February 18 to respond to the charge, which poses the risk of a suspension that could significantly impact City’s title aspirations. It is worth noting that former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp received a two-match ban after alleging that referee Paul Tierney held a bias against his team.

Pep Guardiola, while not as direct in his criticisms of the officials, also expressed confusion over the decision to allow Solanke’s goal. He remarked, “If a central defender commits that foul on a striker, isn’t it a penalty?” Additionally, he seemed to imply that the referee’s decision aided Spurs, stating, “Nothing has altered my opinion on this matter. We would have preferred to avoid that transition, but I don’t mind an emotional response to the goal the referee awarded Spurs. After that, controlling the momentum becomes challenging. Overall, the match was played well.”

Looking ahead, City will face Salford City in the FA Cup this weekend before resuming their Premier League title pursuit against Newcastle United next weekend. They are currently just four points behind league leaders Arsenal, following a recent 3-0 victory over Fulham.

Guardiola also provided an update on striker Erling Haaland, who was substituted at halftime due to discomfort. He explained, “He had some niggles and didn’t feel comfortable. The reason? We’ve had many games. I haven’t spoken with the doctors, so I’m not entirely sure of his condition. He mentioned he wasn’t comfortable, and with the score at 3-0, it was a sensible decision to substitute him.”

Regarding the title race, Guardiola stated, “We weren’t nine points behind before Anfield, and now we aren’t three points behind before Brentford versus Arsenal. After that, we will see. I consistently emphasize the importance of growth—how we can achieve consistency over 90 minutes and improve as a team. The players feel they are executing our tactical plans effectively, both defensively and offensively. We are making progress.”