Rodri of Manchester City faces FA charges and potential suspension for comments about ‘neutral’ officiating.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has received an FA charge for remarks made regarding referee Robert Jones after the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
Rodri claimed that Jones was not “neutral” during a post-match television interview.
City expressed particular dissatisfaction as replays indicated that Dominic Solanke had kicked through the back of Marc Guéhi’s leg to score, allowing Spurs to come back from a 2-0 deficit to secure a point.
Rodri faces a misconduct charge, with the FA asserting that the Spain international “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.”
He has until February 18 to provide a response.
As there are no specific penalties outlined in the rule book concerning media comments, any disciplinary action would be determined by the independent regulatory commission if Rodri is found culpable.
A suspension is a possibility.
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp received a two-match ban in April 2023 after stating that referee Paul Tierney had “something against” his team.
The FA has not clarified which specific comments from Rodri led to the charge.
Following the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he stated: “I know we have won too much and people do not want us to win, but the referee must be neutral.
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“It’s not fair because we work so hard. When everything concludes, you feel frustrated.”
“It’s one game after another, and it’s not feasible.
“Honestly, I rarely comment on referees; I have great respect for their role. However, they need to pay attention to these matters.
“He [Solanke] kicked the leg; it’s very clear. It’s been two or three games in a row, and I don’t understand why.”
