The Football Association has formally charged Manchester City midfielder Rodri with misconduct following his critical remarks about officiating after a 2-2 draw with Tottenham on February 1. The Spanish international expressed visible frustration during his post-match media duties, questioning the impartiality of the refereeing decisions during the high-stakes encounter.
According to the UK Mirror, the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) and individual referees have actively lobbied the FA to impose a significant penalty to preserve the standards of respect toward on-field officials.
The controversy stems from a specific incident involving a goal allowed for Tottenham, which Rodri believes followed a clear foul on teammate Marc Guehi. The FA contends that Rodri’s public assessment crossed the line into a breach of professional conduct by suggesting systemic bias within the refereeing body. A suspension for the 29-year-old would severely hamper Pep Guardiola’s tactical setup as Manchester City continues to trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by four points.
“The referees have to be neutral,” Rodri remarked in the immediate aftermath of the draw.
The governing body’s official statement details the legal basis for the charge, citing a direct violation of guidelines regarding the integrity of match officials. The FA is taking a firm stance to discourage players from implying that external factors influence refereeing outcomes, especially during a tense title race.
“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. Rodri has until Wednesday 18 February to provide a response,” the FA charge confirms.
Manchester City administrators now have until the middle of next week to prepare a formal defense or accept the charge, which could lead to a multi-match ban. Losing a central figure like Rodri at this juncture could tilt the momentum of the championship battle toward North London. While the club maintains a heavy schedule across multiple competitions, the prospect of navigating the upcoming domestic fixtures without their midfield anchor adds immense pressure to an already demanding season finale.
