Manchester City v Fulham - Premier League
Rodri remains a hugely influential presence in the City starting XI (Picture: Getty)
Manchester City midfielder Rodri faces a possible ban after being charged with misconduct by the FA for his comments made about referees following the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
Rodri blasted referee Rob Jones and suggested match officials were biased against City after it was judged Dominic Solanke had not fouled Marc Guehi before scoring Tottenham’s second-half goal in north London.
City led 2-0 at the break with Solanke scoring twice to level the game as Pep Guardiola’s side dropped two crucial points in the Premier League title race.
A furious Rodri said: ‘I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it’s not fair. It’s not fair because we work so hard in these situations and now to make these decisions, we have to move on.
‘Of course you need to come back but at the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it’s so clear the foul.
‘He kicked the leg and of course with the push of the action on the ball, the ball goes in. We have to pay attention to these little things otherwise it’s going to be difficult for everyone because this league is like this – it’s about small details and everything counts, so I think today is a very tough day for us in this sense.’
Rodri has now been charged for those comments. A statement from the FA said: ‘It’s alleged that the midfielder acted in an improper manner during a post-match media interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official and/or match officials, contrary to FA Rule 3.1.’
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Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Premier League
Rodri was furious after the 2-2 draw with Spurs (Picture: Getty)
Rodri has until 18 February to provide a response to the charge. After that date, an independent panel will rule what punishment he should face.
How long could Rodri be banned for?
Rodri’s comments could have a significant impact on the title race. City are now just three points behind Arsenal at the top of the table after the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Brentford on Thursday with the two sides also set to meet in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday 22 March.
City faltered in Rodri’s absence through injury last season with the Spain international still a hugely influential presence in Pep Guardiola’s side.
It remains to be seen what, if any, ban Rodri receives.
While there is little precedent for players implying bias from referees, managers across the Premier League have been hit with bans for comments made about match officials.
Fulham v Liverpool - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg
Klopp suggested referees had ‘something against’ Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
In May 2023, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp received a two-man ban after suggesting referee Paul Tierney had ‘something against’ his side in the 4-3 win over Tottenham. The German coach missed the following game against Aston Villa with the second game suspended until the end of the 2023-24 season.
In 2018, Arsene Wenger was given a three-match touchline ban and fined £40,000 after he admitted questioning the integrity of a match referee in a draw with West Brom. Wenger accepted he used abusive and improper language and behaviour in the match officials’ changing room.
Arsenal v Manchester United
Wenger also served a ban for his comments (Picture: Getty Images)
In 2015, Jose Mourinho was fined £50,000 and given a one-match suspended stadium ban after accepting a misconduct charge. The charge was in relation to comments he made while Chelsea manager following defeat to Southampton, alleging there is ‘quite a big pleasure in putting us down’ and accusing referees of being ‘afraid to give decisions for Chelsea.’
In a more recent albeit slightly different incident, Nuno Espirito Santo was handed a three-match touchline ban while in charge of Nottingham Forest following a 2-2 draw with Briton in September 2024.
The FA statement at the time said Santo ‘acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.’
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