FA Charges Rodri for Questioning Referee Neutrality

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for comments he made questioning the neutrality of referees following his team's 2-2 Premier League draw against Tottenham Hotspur on February 1.

The incident occurred at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where City led 2-0 at halftime before Spurs mounted a comeback. Rodri expressed frustration over referee Robert Jones's decision to allow Tottenham's first goal, scored by Dominic Solanke in the second half. The Spaniard argued that Solanke had fouled City's defender Marc Guehi by kicking the back of his leg before the ball crossed the line. Video assistant referee officials reviewed the play but upheld the goal, prompting Rodri's post-match outburst during an interview with an Australian broadcaster.

"I know we win a lot and people may not want us to win, but the referee must be neutral," Rodri said. "It's not fair because we work so hard. When everything is over, you feel frustrated." He further described the incident as "so clear, the foul," adding that Solanke had anticipated Guehi's position, and lamented a pattern of decisions against City in recent games.